The Copa America is drawing to a close and as desired by all, the Final is between Brazil and Argentina, the two greatest teams of South America.
The Copa America was first held in 1916 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Argentina’s Independence and was won by Uruguay. Since then, South American Football and in particular Copa America have been dominated by Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, and Chile as well, though marginally.
Brazil and Chile have won the last three Copa Americas, with Brazil being the defending Champions and Chile winning the two editions prior to the last one beating Argentina on both occasions in a penalty shoot out in the Final. It can be said that Argentina have been a tad unlucky and have suffered a title drought both at the world stage since 1986, and at the Copa America since 1993. The most important fact is that Argentina is without a trophy in the Messi Era.
The Final is scheduled to be played at the iconic Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. Deriving it’s name from the now canalised river Maracana, the stadium witness to some gruelling battles amongst the teams in Sourh America staged its first match during the World Cup in Brazil in 1950. Match between Brazil and Uruguay in the competition witnessed a record attendance of almost two hundred thousand spectators, and since then, the stadium holds a position of prominence in the history of Latin American Football. Renovated in the year 2013, the stadium’s capacity has been reduced to about eighty thousand now and still is the biggest stadium in South America.
However the world is watching Messi’s date with the Maracana. Messi has shown great form in the tournament with 4 goals and 5 assists and looks in complete control as he readies himself to face his friend Neymar in the Final. It’s like two Gladiators in battle at the Colosseum in Rome. Can Messi, one of the greatest footballers ever and the warhorse in the twilight of his career conquer the only but the most important frontier eluding him, a silverware for his country. A trophy here would send Messi into immortality.
I am waiting with bated breadth to see the mercurial left foot of Messi floor the Brazilians at the Maracana… And so is the world.