Will Lionel Messi be at Copa America 2024?

Lionel Messi will have to choose between Inter Miami and Argentina as the Copa America 2024 unfolds this summer. 

The Copa America 2024 is coming to the United States in less than two months, featuring 10 CONMEBOL teams and six CONCACAF teams. The international tournament will bring some of the biggest faces in soccer to stadiums across the country. Superstars like Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho will have the chance to show off their talent on American soil.

Of course, the biggest (and best) player in the Copa America 2024 would be Lionel Messi. The Argentinian legend won his first international trophy at the Copa America 2021, and then helped secure the ever-illusive World Cup for Argentina just one year later.

So, can fans expect Messi to take a hiatus from his Inter Miami duties to represent his country this summer?

Will Lionel Messi be at Copa America 2024?

Yes, Lionel Messi will be at the Copa America 2024. As long as the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner remains healthy, he will take the field as Argentina's captain come June. 

Unfortunately for Inter Miami fans, Messi's participation in the Copa America this summer means he will miss a handful of games throughout June and July, including matchups against Columbus Crew and Toronto FC. Luis Suárez will also be absent from the squad as he competes for Uruguay. 

If Messi and Argentina make it to the final, Messi could potentially win his third international trophy at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, just 30 minutes from Inter Miami's Chase Stadium.

When Does Copa America 2024 Start?

The Copa America 2024 starts on Thursday, June 20, 2024, as Argentina face off against Canada. The Group Stage matches will unfold throughout the rest of June and early July before the quarter-finals begin on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

If Argentina wants to raise another Copa America title, they must first survive Group A, consisting of Peru, Chile, and Canada.