On Thursday in Atlanta, the Argentine national soccer team will kick off the 2024 edition of Copa América, South America’s biggest soccer championship, with a game against Canada. Fans around the world, but especially in Argentina, have been eagerly awaiting this day ever since their beloved squad, led by perhaps the greatest soccer player of all time, won the 2022 World Cup. But when Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain and superstar, takes the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with his teammates as the favorites to defend their 2021 Copa América title, a simmering sadness will follow him. Will this be the last time Mr. Messi, who turns 37 next week and said two years ago that it was his final World Cup, wears the blue and white Argentine uniform in a major tournament? Will this be the last time one of the most famous humans on Earth, who brought joy to many during unstable times in his homeland, represents his soccer-obsessed country?

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Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi Organizations: Argentine national soccer, Copa, South America’s, Canada, Mercedes, Benz Locations: Atlanta, South, Argentina, Argentine