Copa America 2016: Lionel Messi's magical tournament so far
There is hardly anything that Lionel Messi can’t do on the football field. Score from 30 yards out, or dribble past 3-4 defenders to score a goal, he can do it all. It has been no different in the ongoing Copa America Centenario also as Argentina have virtually bossed the tournament and it has been a Messi show all along.
Lionel Messi arrived for the Copa America 2016 injured and burdened by the ongoing tax trial back in Spain. With their talismanic captain not 100% fit physically and mentally, the prospect of another disappointing tournament was very much on the horizon for Argentina.
But instead, the events that have unfolded till date, have been nothing short of magical.
#1 Argentina vs. Chile, 6 June 2016
The rematch of the 2015 Copa America final was a highly anticipated clash. Argentina were starting without their captain against a strong Chile side. The first half of the match was pretty much even, but the second half completely belonged to Argentina, as Angel Di Maria’s brilliance helped them to a 2-1 win.
The night should have belonged to the PSG man, but instead, it belonged to the man who didn’t even step on the field – Lionel Messi. The Levi ‘s Stadium in California reverberated with chants of ‘Messi’ and every time he was shown on the big screen there used to a rapturous round of applause.
Without even kicking the ball he had sent the entire country into frenzy.