Copa America - Soccer Wiretap

Lionel Messi After Winning Copa America: 'This Team Deserved It'

Jul 11, 2021 12:47 PM

Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final, with Lionel Messi winning his first international senior trophy with Argentina.

Messi had previously lost three Copa finals and a World Cup final.

"I can't explain how happy I feel. I've been sad many times [with Argentina after tournaments] but I knew it would happen and there's no better moment. This team deserved it," said Messi after the match. 

Messi was named the Player of the Tournament after scoring four goals and registering five assists.

Messi also paid tribute to manager Lionel Scaloni.

"It's to the merit of [Scaloni] because of everything he's done and what he's built. The process with him started three years ago and it's been constant growth. He knew how to build a spectacular group, a winning group. He deserves the recognition. It's been a long time since Argentina were champions of South America, and we've won it again under him."

Sam Marsden & Moises Llorens/ESPN FC

Tags: Argentina, Copa America

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CONMEBOL Pulls Copa America From Argentina

May 31, 2021 12:07 AM

CONMEBOL pulled this summer's Copa America from Argentina due to an increase of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Colombia was previously dropped as a co-host because of protests against President Ivan Duque.

The tournament is scheduled for June 13 through July 10.

CONMEBOL added that a new host would be announced "soon."

ESPN FC

Tags: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Copa America

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Copa America Postponed Until 2021

Mar 17, 2020 1:09 PM

CONMEBOL postponed this summer's Copa America until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is an extraordinary measure for an unexpected situation and responds to the fundamental need to avoid the exponential evolution of the virus," said CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez.

The tournament will now be rescheduled between June 11th and July 11th. The tournament will take place in Argentina and Colombia.

The decision comes on the heels of UEFA suspending the European Championship until 2021.



 

ESPN

Tags: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Copa America

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Brazil Want Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo To Play In Olympics

Feb 28, 2020 12:49 PM

Brazil federation president Rogerio Caboclo has initiated contact with PSG and Real Madrid about releasing Neymar, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo for this summer's Olympics.

Brazil won the gold medal for the first time during the 2016 Olympics.

Neymar has recently stated his desire to play in the Olympics, though the Copa America could throw a wrench in the scheduling.

The Copa America final is scheduled 10 days before the start of the Olympics. 

"I am willing to play at both the Copa America and the Olympics. However, I think it is a bit complicated -- ask PSG. The other time [2016], when I was with Barcelona, they would not let me play in both. I hope 100 percent to be able to help Brazil in some way," said Neymar.


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Tags: Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain, Copa America, IQ

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Neymar Looking To Play In Copa America, Olympics

Jan 13, 2020 12:13 PM

Neymar has expressed his desire to play in both Copa America and the Olympics for Brazil this summer.

"I am in form. I am willing to play at both the Copa America and the Olympics. However, I think it is a bit complicated -- ask PSG," said Neymar following a recent match against Monaco.

Neymar then called PSG's attacking four of Mauro Icardi, Angel di Maria, Kylian Mbappe, and himself among the best in the world. 

"I strongly believe this formation [with PSG's 'fantastic four' attackers] will work. It does not matter if you play with four, five or six strikers. If everyone runs and everyone helps each other, PSG can play in any formation. We know we have quality and we are among the best in the world."

Jonathan Johnson/ESPN

Tags: Paris Saint-Germain, Copa America

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Edinson Cavani Says Confrontation With Messi A 'Part Of Football'

Nov 19, 2019 3:09 PM

Edinson Cavani spoke of his confrontation with Lionel Messi during Uruguay's 2-2 draw with Argentina.

Cavani reportedly challenged Messi to a fight, to which Messi responded "whenever you want."

"It's part of football, Clasicos are like this. The truth is that it was at times a game that had friction, there were challenges and things that are part of football, especially of South American [football]," said Cavani.

Messi also made headlines for a confrontation with Brazil manager Tite last week. 

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Tags: Argentina, Uruguay, Copa America

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Messi Brought Argentine Teammates To Tears, Says Angel Di Maria

Oct 3, 2019 2:31 PM

Lionel Messi took on a more vocal role for Argentina during the 2019 Copa America, according to Angel Di Maria.

"Messi told us he was proud of the team we had built. That we had not been together much as some had not been called up [to the senior team] before. Yet, it felt as though we had all been together for many years. He said that we had all rowed in the same direction from the first day. That he was very proud of the youngsters for their commitment to this jersey and if they were there and gave what they gave at the Copa America, it was because they more than deserved to be there. Once he finished, everyone was in tears because it touched everyone's hearts, especially the youngsters," said Di Maria.

Argentina lost to Brazil 2-0 in the semifinals in the tournament.

Di Maria said he's seeing an evolution in Messi.

"The important thing is that Leo is like this. I like this Messi."

Adriana Garcia/ESPN

Tags: Argentina, Copa America

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Messi Receives Three-Month Conmebol Ban

Aug 3, 2019 11:19 AM

Conmebol has suspended Lionel Messi for three months following comments he made during the 2019 Copa America.

The organization also fined Messi $50,000.

Messi accused Conmebol of favoring Brazil following Argentina's 2-0 loss in the semifinals.

Marca

Tags: Argentina, Copa America

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Eder Militao Officially Unveiled At Real Madrid

Jul 10, 2019 1:23 PM

Real Madrid finally unveiled Eder Militao at a press conference following his $56.5 million transfer from Porto.

Militao was playing for Brazil in their Copa America winning run.

"I am a versatile player who always plays with a love of what he does [for a job]. I don't like to lose and I always expect the best from myself. I'm very competitive. You can expect a very competitive player who will give his all for this shirt. I'm going to play every match like it's my last," said the 21-year-old defender.

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Tags: Brazil, Real Madrid, Copa America

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Dani Alves Named Best Player At 2019 Copa America

Jul 8, 2019 1:37 AM

Dani Alves was named as the player of the tournament for the 2019 Copa America as he lead Brazil to the title.

It was the 40th trophy of Alves' career.

The 36-year-old Alves is a free agent this summer.

Everton was named man of the match in their final, a 3-1 win over Peru.

Álvaro Olmedo/Marca

Tags: Brazil, Copa America

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Willian Replaces Neymar On Brazil's Copa America Squad
Willian has appeared for Brazil 65 times, scoring 8 goals.

Marca

Neymar To Miss Copa America With Ankle Injury
Brazil open their Copa America play against Bolivia on June 14th.

Billy Munday/Marca

Lionel Messi To Skip Remainder Of Argentina's Matches In 2018
Lionel Messi is not sure whether he will play in the 2019 Copa America.

ESPN

Spain, France, Italy, Portugal To Receive 2019 Copa America Invites
There is a growing desire among Conmebol chiefs to include the four "Latin" European countries.

Damian Riveras/As.com

United States Advance To Knockout Stage With 1-0 Win Over Paraguay
Clint Dempsey scored in the 27th minute and the United States played nearly the entire second half with 10 men after DeAndre Yedlin was sent off.

RealGM Staff Report

United States Could Become Permanent Copa America Host
They could essentially merge the Copa America and the Gold Cup into one tournament.

Stephanie Yang/SB Nation

Lionel Messi Trains Alone Ahead Of Copa Opener
Lionel Messi is recovering from a back injury suffered in a friendly against Honduras.

Sam Williams/Goal.com

Luis Suarez Out For Beginning Of Copa America With Hamstring Injury
Luis Suarez suffered the hamstring injury in the Copa del Rey final.

AP

Jozy Altidore To Miss Copa America With Hamstring Injury
Jozy Altidore, who has yet to score for Toronto FC in this season, was hurt while taking a penalty that was saved.

ESPN

Colombia Leaves Falcao, Jackson Martinez Off Copa Roster
Radamel Falcao missed the 2014 World Cup due to a torn ACL and he has never recaptured his form.

Liam Twomey/ESPN

Neymar To Skip Copa America, Play For Brazil In Olympics
The Brazilian Football Confederation had been lobbying for Neymar to play in the Copa America and the Olympics.

ESPN

Neymar Suspended For Remainder Of Copa America
Neymar was sent off at the conclusion of Wednesday's game for an attempted head-butt of Colombia defender Jeison Murillo.

ESPN

Lionel Messi Would 'Give It All Up' For Copa America Trophy
Lionel Messi has won La Liga seven times and the Champions League four times, but he has never won a trophy with Argentina's senior team.

Peter Hanson/Goal.com

Neymar Receives Provisional Two-Match Ban
Neymar kicked the ball at Pablo Armero and then seemed to head-butt Jeison Murillo.

ESPN

Arturo Vidal Crashes Ferrari While Driving Under Influence
Arturo Vidal suffered minor injuries in the crash and is being held until Wednesday morning when he'll face a local judge.

ESPN

Suarez's FIFA Suspension Could Be Appealed After Corruption Charges
The suspension means Luis Suarez will miss this summer's Copa America tournament in Chile, although the MUFP could appeal the sanction.

ESPN

Coutinho Replaces Oscar On Brazil's Copa America Squad
Philippe Coutinho, who was left out of Luiz Felipe Scolari's World Cup squad, will take Oscar's place.

RealGM Staff Report

Tim Howard To Take One-Year Sabbatical From USMNT
Tim Howard is not retiring from international competition and will continue to play for Everton in the English Premier League.

ESPN

Clint Dempsey Wants To Continue Playing For U.S. Through 2016
The USA will host a special 100th anniversary edition of the Copa America, South America's continental championship in 2016.

Doug McIntryre/ESPN

Brazil To Name Dunga As Scolari's Replacement As Manager
Dunga coached the national team in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He departed after Brazil lost 2-1 in the quarter-finals to Holland.

AP

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