Lionel Messi and Argentina will open the Copa America in the Bay Area against Chile on June 6th.

It will be a rematch of last year's Copa America final.

"Soccer will be the main focus while I’m in the Bay Area, naturally, but part of me is also hoping to meet Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors," said Messi. "Seeing him play is magical. Everyone loves what he does: basketball fans, teammates, rivals. Our small sizes, and even our playing styles, are similar. In December he sent me his signed Warriors jersey. I sent back my signed shirt in April to return the favor.

"If you watch Curry play—or, just as revealing, warm up before the game—you notice his relationship with the ball. It’s like his body and mind are always on the same wavelength with el balón . I try to have that connection in my sport too. As a child I always had a ball on me, from the time I woke up to the moment I went to bed. More than once I slept with my ball. In those days kids could go out on the streets in Rosario and be safe playing soccer even if they came back late at night. Unfortunately times have changed, and you don’t see that much any more due to the crime, not only in Argentina but also in the rest of South America. Those ­moments with my friends and the ball—just us, no coaches—are beautiful memories for me."

With Game 2 of The Finals being held on June 5th, Messi could conceivably attend if the Golden State Warriors advance.