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After finishing runners-up at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
and at last year's Copa America in Chile, Argentina are
favorites to lift the Copa America for the 15th time in their
history and first since 1993.
"This Copa America is a very special tournament for me and more
so after losing last year's final. That is why I want to win it
for Argentina," Messi, whose 37 goals in 45 appearances were key
to Barca's La Liga and King's Cup double winning campaign in
2015-16, said to El Mundo Deportivo.
The Argentina captain hurt his back in an international friendly
against Honduras on May 27 and is unlikely to start on Monday in
his country's opener against Chile at the Levi's Stadium in
Santa Clara, California.
He has reassured his fans, however, that the injury is not
serious.
"I feel better," he said.
Coach Gerardo Martino was not at the helm of Argentina at the
World Cup but did hold the reins last year when they lost 4-1 on
penalties to Chile.
That result led La Nacion newspaper to write at the time: "It
seems a nightmare without end, a curse that never ends. The
national team continues without winning a title and it's already
22 years."
Argentina also take on Panama and Bolivia in Group D.
They will rely heavily on five-times World Player of the Year
Messi, who has scored 50 goals in 108 appearances for his
country and will play in his seventh major tournament with the
national team.
The 28-year-old forward goes into the Copa having to put a
difficult week behind him. Messi had to travel to Spain last
week to testify in a Barcelona court regarding his trial for
alleged tax evasion.
(This copy corrects the number of Argentina's Copa America
victories in second para)
(Reporting by Cindy Garcia; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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