When is Lionel Messi playing at Copa America 2024? Group rivals and schedule for Argentina matches

Argentina arrive at the Copa America 2024 not only as world champion, but also as champion of the last edition of this competition, won in 2021 on Brazilian soil. 

Lionel Scaloni's team, in what will be Angel Di Maria's farewell, will seek to repeat the title won three years ago at the Maracana.

But the star attraction — as always — is likely to be Lionel Messi. Revered by many as the greatest player of his generation, Messi will be competing on his new home soil, as the Inter Miami star swaps club football for the search for more international honors.

Here is everything you need to know about Messi and Argentina in the Copa America 2024.

MORE: Copa America full schedule of matches and updated results for 2024

When is Lionel Messi playing at Copa America 2024? Schedule of Argentina's matches

Group stage

Argentina group in Copa America 2024

If Argentina advance to the knockout phase from Group A (the first and second team in each group will qualify), Argentina would play a quarterfinal on July 4 or 5 in Houston or Arlington; a potential semifinal on July 9,  in  East Rutherford and the final, on July 14, in Miami, where Messi plays his club football. 

If they have to play for third place, that would be July 13 in Charlotte.

MORE: Lionel Messi record at Copa America - matches played and titles won

Will Lionel Messi retire from Argentina after Copa America 2024?

The best player in the world and, for many, the most outstanding in all of history, Messi has fulfilled his great dream by winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the culmination of a journey that included the title in the Copa America 2021 and the Finalissima against Italy shortly before the World Cup.

It seemed that after winning everything that a footballer can achieve, he would at least retire from the national team. However, as he himself said, he chose to stay to enjoy the party after so much suffering, and he quickly guaranteed his presence at the 2024 Copa America.

Whether this is his last tournament on the major stage remains to be seen. That may depend on Argentina's progress.

Argentina coach: Lionel Scaloni

From being a temporary replacement for Jorge Sampaoli to a confirmed interim and, then, winner of everything that a national team coach could achieve, Scaloni has become a national hero in Argentina. 

Without previous experience, he broke the curse of 28 years without titles for the Argentine senior national team, and formed a team that went almost 40 games without losing and won the 2022 World Cup. 

Despite all that, he has been engaged in a tense relationship with the president of the Argentina FA, Claudio Tapia, and so his presence in charge for the 2026 World Cup, for which the Albiceleste are well placed to qualify, is not guaranteed. 

However, at least he will make it to the continental American event. An entire country has demanded it.

MORE: Brazil vs. Argentina rivalry at Copa America - head-to-head record and stats

Argentina's record and history in Copa America: Titles won

The Argentine national team has won the Copa America 15 times, being the country with the most titles, along with Uruguay. Below is their record in the tournament: