Lionel Messi poses ‘unique’ challenge for Canada at Copa America, says Jesse Marsch

The reigning Copa America champions, featuring Lionel Messi, will begin the 2024 tournament on Thursday against the Canadian Men’s National Team, now coached by Jesse Marsch.

Chirag

June 20, 2024

Messi A Threat For Canada At Copa America — Omar Vega/Getty Images

The reigning Copa America champions, featuring eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, are set to kick off the 2024 tournament on Thursday. They will face the Canadian Men’s National Team (CanMNT), now under the leadership of American coach Jesse Marsch.

Former Leeds United manager Marsch has outlined his strategy to counter the legendary Messi, who is aiming for another major trophy: “The challenge with Messi is not just his quality, but his ability to move around in the game. He doesn’t show up in the same places all the time, he’s very clever at coming underneath at times and moving off the backline. Obviously any time he’s on the ball the way he can create combinations – and really provide confidence, pause and quality for the team – is very unique. That’s what makes him the best player to ever play the game. So, there are clear things we need to address with him, but the key is to be aware of where he is and he’s not in an open space. We need to close the space, and make it difficult for him.”

Marsch, who has previously faced Messi while coaching RB Leipzig against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, added about having tactical plans ready: “I’ve coached against him a few times and had some successes, but he finds a way to make a difference. We’re prepared, but we know it is difficult.”

Canada and Argentina will launch the tournament at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home to NFL and MLS teams. Both teams are aiming to advance from Group A, with two quarter-final spots available.