Argentina's road to Copa America 2024

The legendary Lionel Messi returns to the international stage with Argentina in hopes of leading his country to Copa America glory for the second straight time this summer.

La Albiceleste lifted the previous edition of the Copa America back in the summer of 2021, with Messi finally getting his hands on the elusive international title with his nation. Argentina will no doubt be the favorites to win the 2024 edition despite rivals Brazil and dark horses Uruguay also fancying their chances at lifting the coveted trophy.

Luckily for Messi and Co., the Group Stage shouldn't be too difficult to navigate. Anything but a first-place finish in Group A with three wins against Canada, Peru and Chile would probably be considered a failure by many -- especially Argentina's passionate supporters.

Here's everything you need to know about Argentina as they'll soon being their defense of their 2021 Copa America title.

How did Argentina qualify for Copa America 2024?

Argentina are one of the 10 CONMEBOL members -- alongside Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador and Venezuela -- and thus gained automatic qualification to Copa America simply be being part of the federation.

Who are Argentina's key players heading into Copa America 2024?

Of course, Messi -- who could be playing in his last major international tournament -- will steal the headlines for Argentina and rightfully so. Messi -- who's managed 106 goals and dished out 56 assists in 180 appearances for Argentina -- will be joined up front by the iconic Angel Di Maria and Julian Alvarez.

Star Inter forward Lautaro Martinez will also join the attacking unit for Argentina to form a lethal department capable of putting several goals in the back of the net against any defense.

The likes of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez will all help anchor the middle of the park while Cristian 'Cuti' Romero and Lisandro Martinez will more than likely form a partnership in the center of the backline. Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez will take up the same role for Argentina and might have to recreate some of his 2022 World Cup final heroics to help his nation lift Copa America once again.

Argentina's projected 23-player squad for Copa America 2024

Goalkeepers:

• Walter Benitez - PSV Eindhoven
• Emiliano Martinez - Aston Villa
• Geronimo Rulli - Ajax

Defenders

• Juan Foyth - Villareal
• Lisandro Martinez - Manchester United
• Facundo Medina - Lens
• Nahuel Molina - Atletico Madrid
• Gonzalo Montiel - Nottingham Forest
• Nicolas Otamendi - Benfica
• Cristian Romero - Tottenham Hotspor
• Nicolas Tagliafico - Lyon

Midfielders

• Rodrigo De Paul - Atletico Madrid
• Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea
• Giovani Lo Celso - Tottenham Hotspur
• Alexis Mac Allister - Liverpool
• Exequiel Palacios - Bayer Leverkusen
• Leandro Paredes - AS Roma
• Guido Rodriguez - Real Betis

Forwards

• Julian Alvarez - Manchester City
• Angel Di Maria - Benfica
• Lautaro Martinez - Inter
• Lionel Messi - Inter Miami
• Alejandro Garnacho - Manchester United

Argentina's predicted lineup for Copa America 2024

Argentina's predicted lineup for Copa America 2024 ( 4-3-3 ): Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria.

Who will Argentina play against during Copa America 2024?

Argentina will kick-off their Copa America defense on June 20 vs Canada -- who are making their debut in the tournament -- at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After Argentina kicks things off in the competition, they'll square off against Chile -- who notably denied Messi from two Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016 -- on June 25 at MetLife Stadium.

The World Cup winners will round out their Group A campaign against Peru on June 29 at Hard Rock Stadium, home of Messi's Inter Miami.

Should Argentina do the expected and progress to the quarter-finals, they'll take on whoever finishes in second or first place from Group B depending on where they finish in their own group -- which is expected be first place. This means we could see Argentina square off vs Mexico, Jamaica, Ecuador or Venezuela in the quarter-finals, with Ecuador likely to finish in second place behind Mexico in Group B.