Copa America Preview: Group A - Messi to captain Argentina to glory?
The 2024 Copa America kicks off this week and WhoScored.com are providing full coverage for the tournament. For Group A, we pick out the key player, the young player to watch and make a tournament prediction for Argentina, Canada, Chile and Peru.
Copa America History
Argentina are looking to move clear of Uruguay as the most successful team in Copa America history. Indeed, Lionel Scaloni oversaw a 15th Copa America success back in 2021, and followed that up with the 2022 World Cup. La Albiceleste are favourites to lift the trophy for the 16th time.
That little-known Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. In what may prove to be his final international tournament of his career, the 36-year-old will look to bow out on a high this summer if he does indeed hang up his boots. Messi has been superb for MLS outfit Inter Miami so far this season, scoring 12 and providing nine assists to return a WhoScored rating of 8.56. Argentina's captain will seek further glory in the USA this summer.
Young Player to Watch - Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho established himself as a first team regular for Manchester United last season and his form under Erik ten Hag saw him rewarded with a spot in Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad this summer. Garnacho scored seven and provided four assists in his breakout campaign, and made more key passes (46) than any other teenager in Europe's top five leagues last season.
Tournament Prediction - Winners
Copa America History
Canada will take part in the Copa America for the first time in their history. They were invited to the 2001 edition but eventually withdrew so enter the tournament as a bit of an unknown quantity.
Having started the season slowly - Jonathan David scored just two goals in his opening 12 appearances of the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign - the 24-year-old came alive in the second half of the season ultimately netting 19 times; only Kylian Mbappe (27) scored more in France's top tier. Set to lead the line for the Canucks, there is plenty of pressure on David to transfer his club form to country.
Young Player to Watch - Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies may be on the move this summer with Real Madrid heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old. It's for good reason, too. Davies has established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe and having completed 70 dribbles in the Bundesliga last season, that the sixth most, he doesn't need a second invitation to bombard upfield.
Tournament Prediction - Group stages
Copa America History
Chile are out to secure Copa America glory for just the third time having won both the 2015 and 2016 editions. Since then, they came fourth in 2019 and reached the quarter-finals in 2021, though gone are the likes of Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel and Charles Aranguiz.
One man still knocking about for the national team is the most decorated player in Chilean football history. Now 35, Alexis Sanchez is unlikely to continue his international career beyond the 2024 Copa America. He struggled for game time with Serie A winners Inter last season but even so; managed two goals and five assists across 752 minutes of action.
Young Player to Watch - Dario Osorio
The versatile attacker joined Danish Superliga side Midtjylland from Universidad de Chile last summer and has made a solid start to life in Europe, scoring eight times last season. Able to play anywhere across the midfield, Dario Osorio's best position is cutting in from the right where he can utilise his superb left foot. He'll likely line up here in Ricardo Gareca's favoured 4-2-3-1 setup this summer.
Tournament Prediction - Fourth place
Copa America History
Peru, like Chile, have won the Copa America twice, though last did so in 1975. Since then, they finished third in 2011 and 2015, and came close to springing an upset in 2019 as they made it to the final, only to lose 3-1 to Brazil as they Selecao claimed glory on home turf five years' ago.
Yes, that Paolo Guerrero. Now 40, the vastly experienced striker is looking to captain La Bicolor to a third Copa America having coming perilously close to doing so in 2019. Now plying his trade for Peruvian side Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Guerrero hasn't been a first team regular back in his homeland, though three goals in six outings this season isn't to be scoffed at.
Young Player to Watch - Jesus Castillo
While he struggled for game time for Liga Portugal side Gil Vicente last season, Jesus Castillo is expected to start in the Peru midfield this summer. A hard worker off the ball, the 22-year-old averaged 2.2 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per 90 in Portugal's top tier last term, and he'll be expected to provide the defensive shield for Peru in the USA.
Tournament Prediction - Group Stages
Group Prediction
1. Argentina
2. Chile
3. Peru
4. Canada
