Argentina vs Canada: Will Lionel Messi play tonight in Copa America 2024 match?

Copa America 2024 kicks off with probably the biggest match of the group stage as Lionel Messi's Argentina face Canada at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia. It could be the last time we could see the 37-year-old Messi playing for Argentina at the Copa America. So there is a lot of anticipation on how Messi would turn up after being off the radar since joining Inter Miami last year. 

The biggest question that would be on the minds of many football fans would if Messi will turn out for Argentina's national soccer team against Canada. Here's the answer.

Will Lionel Messi play tonight in the Copa America 2024 match for Argentina?

It is almost confirmed that Messi will start in Argentina’s Copa América match against Canada.

What time will the Argentina vs Canada Copa América match start?

The Argentina vs Canada match in Copa America kicks off at 5:30 am IST, 8 pm ET and 9 pm in Argentina.

How to watch Argentina vs Canada live streaming in India, the UK, the USA, and the Middle East?

There is no official broadcaster for Argentina vs Canada match in India. The match can be streaming on Fubo, Vidgo, Sling TV, Peacock TV and YouTube TV. 

Will this be Messi's last ever big tournament for Argentina?

It's sad but true, Copa America could mark Lionel Messi's final chapter with Argentina's national soccer team.

The World Cup winner will turn 37 during the tournament in the United States, which kicks off Thursday. He's clearly past his peak at Inter Miami after two decades of playing at the highest level in Europe.

Messi has not set a date for his retirement and has kept the door open to playing in a sixth World Cup in 2026 to defend his title from Qatar. But he already recognizes his shortcomings.

“I don’t think about that yet. The moment I feel that I am not going to help my team, I will retire,” Messi said in March in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Riyad Season. “I always ate well, trained. But as I grew I became aware that the physical effort we make is getting harder. As you grow old, things become more difficult.”

Last year, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner struggled with muscular injuries while playing in MLS and for Argentina. That didn't change much in 2024.

Messi has shown he enjoys going out at night with his wife, Antonella, and his friends in Miami. He spends time with his three children, starts new businesses and lives as if soccer is slowly becoming a smaller part of his life.

Still, he has 12 goals and 13 assists for Inter Miami this season.

“I have a good time at the club. I am lucky to have teammates and friends (Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, all former Barcelona players) by my side,” Messi told ESPN. ”I have a good time in the national team, where I have teammates and friends, too. And I enjoy the little details that I know that when I don’t play anymore, I’m going to miss.”

(with AP inputs)