Lionel Messi has sent a strong warning to his Argentina teammates ahead of their first match at the 2024 Copa America on Friday morning.
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The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner inspired the Albiceleste to Copa America glory in 2021, a trophy that ended the nation's long and painful 28-year run without silverware.
In 2022, the former Barcelona captain was at it again in Qatar, where he helped guide Argentina to their first FIFA World Cup triumph since Diego Maradona led the South American giants to glory in Mexico in 1986.
Messi and his colleagues will have the chance to defend their continental crown over the course of the next month in the United States, but the captain has warned his compatriots that it will be far from simple to retain their champion status.
"Today, we can say that we are the best because we are the world champions," he said, according to ESPN.
"But that does not make us believe that we are going to win this Copa America by walking.
"It is going to be very level, all the teams are complicated. Ecuador has a generation of very good youngsters, who know well what they want, they are intense with the ball, they are clear about what they do and they are physically strong.
"And like them, you also have Colombia, Uruguay, not to mention Brazil. That's why I say it will be even, and our team is aware that we are going to have to continue doing the same and more to win again."
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Messi has contributed to 30 goals in 34 Copa America matches in his career to date
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