Neymar and Messi eye duel as Copa kicks off
Hosts Chile look to end their international drought
santiago — A mouthwatering duel between Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar is looming over the Copa America as the three-week football extravaganza starts in Chile on Thursday.
One of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments in years starts in Santiago, with the hosts facing Ecuador in Group A (3:30am UAE Time, Friday) to launch their quest for a first ever Copa crown.
A galaxy of Europe-based stars will be on show in Chile, including Argentina captain Messi and Brazil counterpart Neymar, Colombia’s James Rodriguez, Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani. Messi and Neymar arrive at the tournament less than a week after inspiring Spanish giants Barcelona to the Champions League triumph, the final act of a glittering treble-winning season.
“I feel I’m in better shape arriving at this tournament than I was at the World Cup last year,” Messi told reporters at Argentina’s training camp. Messi and Argentina fell agonisingly short at the World Cup, suffering a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Germany in the final to extend a title drought which stretches back to the 1993 Copa America.
Argentina open their campaign against Paraguay on Saturday, and
should progress from a Group B which also includes Uruguay and Jamaica, one of two teams from the CONCACAF region invited to bolster the tournament.
Argentina’s title drought pales into comparison with the fate of long-suffering Chile, still waiting for their first Copa America title after 99 years. Coach Jorge Sampaoli can call on a spine of world class players — Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, Italy-based midfielders Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel, and Arsenal star Sanchez — as the hosts try to break their duck.
“This is the time to accomplish great things,” Sanchez said. Brazil and Neymar meanwhile begin their campaign against Peru in Group C on Sunday. Brazil’s biggest challenge of the first round comes three days later when they face Colombia on June 17, a rematch of the two sides’ bruising World Cup quarterfinal last year. —