Neymar, Messi eye duel as Copa kicks off
AFP
AFP, 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 at 8.30pm (2330 GMT) 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, Colombias James Rodriguez, Chiles 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.
Both number 10s are carrying a heavy weight of expectation on their shoulders, with Messi determined to finally taste glory at a major international tournament and Neymar aiming to erase the memory of Brazils World Cup debacle.
I feel Im in better shape arriving at this tournament than I was at the World Cup last year, Messi told reporters at Argentinas training camp.
Messi and Argentina fell agonizingly 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.
Messi admitted that Argentinas richly talented squad which includes the likes of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria were determined to end the Albicelestes long wait for a trophy.
This generation is desperate to win a title with the national team, Messi said.
Manchester City star Aguero was even more candid. If this generation of players dont win anything were going to regret it for
the rest of our lives, the
striker said.
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.
Argentinas 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.
Brazils 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 quarter-final last year.
That stormy encounter was notable for a series of rugged Brazilian challenges on Colombia star James, although Brazils 2-1 win came at a price, with Neymar suffering a broken vertebra that ended his World Cup.
Brazils World Cup dream was ultimately demolished by Germany in the next round, when the hosts were humiliated 7-1 in the semi-finals, before losing 3-0 to the Netherlands in an abject third place play-off display.
Fast forward a year however and Brazil under the guidance of 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga are back on track, reeling off nine straight wins since the finals.
One of Dungas first acts last year was to hand the captains armband to the Barcelona forward, and the 23-year-old has thrived on the added responsibility.
It is not a surprise, but the statistics are there to show that when Neymar puts on the captains armband, he takes a step forward, Dunga said.
