Messi Breaks All-Time Copa America Record

The 8-time Balon d'Or winner Lionel Messi immediately set a record after playing on the first matchday of the 2024 Copa America. The Argentine national team captain is now the holder of the most appearances of all time in the Copa America. The World Champion Argentina faced Canada on the first matchday of Group A of the 2024 Copa America at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday 21 June 2024 where they won with a score of 2-0 over the Canucks.

La Albiceleste experienced a deadlock in the first half then, in the second half, Argentina was able to score goals from the actions of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in the second half. This result made Argentina confirm its status as the top champion. This match also confirmed Messi's status as a true legend with a new record recorded. The 36-year-old star footballer made a special appearance in the Argentina versus Canada match. La Pulga was involved in two of Argentina's goals he started Alvarez's scoring process and provided an assist for Lautaro's goal.

With that one assist Messi has now made 18 assists in the Copa America. La Pulga is the most assist maker in Copa America history. However, it was an old record that was improved, the new record set by Messi is the player with the most matches or caps in the history of Copa America.

Messi is now recorded as having played 35 matches in the Copa America. The Argentine skipper surpassed the record of Sergio Livingstone, the legendary Chilean goalkeeper, who previously became the player with the most caps in the Copa America with a record of 34 appearances.

Lionel Messi's statistics in the Copa America

Lionel Messi started his work in the Copa America in the 2007 edition, he has won one title and is now trying to pursue a second title. The following are Messi's statistics in the Copa America:

Copa America 2007: 6 matches, 2 goals.

Copa America 2011: 4 matches, 0 goals.

Copa America 2015: 6 matches, 1 goal.

Copa America 2016: 5 matches, 5 goals.

Copa America 2019: 6 matches, 1 goal.

Copa America 2021: 7 matches, 4 goals.

Copa America 2024: 1 match (*Current Tournament)