ATLANTA — Ninety minutes before kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the first roar came from the crowd, or at least from those who had already taken their seats. Nothing was happening in the field. But fans had gotten their first glimpse of Lionel Messi on the stadium's giant wraparound screen, as he walked smiling toward the arena alongside his teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
In theory, this opening match of the Copa América between Argentina and Canada was played on neutral ground. In reality, the home of Atlanta United of the MLS and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL became the home of The Albiceleste, as they won 2-0 that night.
Everywhere you looked, inside and outside the stadium, there were blue and white jerseys. The stadium announcer's attempts to blast some pro-Canada chants before the game were met with bewildered silence.
This crowd was here to see Argentina and Messi. An hour after his arrival, as the world champions went out to warm up and the starting eleven was read, Messi's name was greeted with another roar. There was more cheering when he scored at shootaround. Argentina is no longer focused exclusively on the 36-year-old Messi (they have too many good players for that, molded into a functional unit by coach Lionel Scaloni), but this is still Messi's team.
Canada, which was making its debut in the Copa América, did everything possible to spoil the party. They played a tremendously impressive first 45 minutes; Captain Alphonso Davies was a pacy threat on the left, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin were a handful up front. But they took no chances and lived to regret it.
When Argentina's breakthrough came, in the 49th minute, it was a moment of inspiration for Messi, the kind of pass that only the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner can see, let alone execute. His defense-splitting pass played into midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, whose intelligent and brave touch, with goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau running, allowed Julián Álvarez to make it 1-0.
After that, two golden opportunities for Messi to finish the contest. In the 65th minute he had already scored the goal. Crepeau saved his shot well. Messi collected the rebound, danced around Crépeau and then defender Derek Cornelius blocked his follow-up. Messi laughed, an expression of disbelief on his face. The crowd chanted his name. Fifteen minutes later, Messi found himself face to face with Crépeau again. This time his shot went wide.
The Copa América has been everything for Messi. It was the scene of his lowest point, retiring prematurely from international football in 2016 after failing in the penalty shootout against Chile in the final in New Jersey.
“For me the selection is over,” he said that day. “I've done everything I can.” He wasn't, and he hadn't done it.
Months later, he returned and, in 2021, Messi won the Brazilian Cup, beating the hosts in the final. It was a weight removed, the beginning of the new golden era of Argentina. Eighteen months later, they were champions of the World Cup in Qatar.
This is, in essence, the same team. Eight of these XI were starters in the World Cup final in December 2022. Of those who were not, Marcos Acuña and Leandro Paredes came on as substitutes. Messi, two years older and now based in Florida with Inter Miami, remains the heartbeat. Starting against Canada means he has already played in seven Copa America tournaments. No player has participated in more games in this competition, 35 and counting.
Here, he faced Canada with the overwhelming majority of the 70,564 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium cheering him on in what looked like a game played in Buenos Aires, not Atlanta. It didn't seem entirely fair.
Still, the atmosphere was more celebratory than hostile. This was helped by an entertaining and open first half with chances for both teams. Canada's best was set up by Davies (Tajon Buchanan shot wide, David saw another blocked) until Stephen Eustáquio's point-blank header was saved by Emiliano Martínez before half-time.
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Then came Álvarez's first goal, in just his second shot of the game. The pass that preceded it from Messi defied logic. Mac Allister hadn't even started running back when Messi played the ball. And yet, there was Mac Allister at the end. Álvarez did the rest. Only one goal from Messi was missing. He didn't make it, with those two surprising and frustrating misses, but he did get an assist, playing in substitute Lautaro Martínez with a casually brilliant pass to finish the match and ensure the Copa America champions got off to a winning start.
The last shot of the game, a foul by Messi just outside the area, was saved by Crépeau. He hadn't scored. But he finished the match playing a key role in both goals and created five “great chances.” The next game will be Chile on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium.
“There is a bit of fear that everything is over,” Messi told ESPN last week. “I try to enjoy it. Now I do it more because I am aware that there is not much time left.”
We don't know if this will be Messi's last international tournament. He has not committed to reaching the 2026 World Cup, which will be held primarily in the United States. But it does seem very likely that this will be his last Copa América.
“It doesn't make much sense to think about when they leave,” said coach Scaloni on Wednesday, asked about Messi and his teammate Ángel Di María. “Let's enjoy them now.”
Those in the Atlanta crowd certainly did. And with this tournament just getting started, there is more to come.
