Santiago : The prospect of leading his country to a first major title in 22 years is driving Lionel Messi as Argentina meet Chile on Saturday night in a Copa America final clash of the golden generations.
The three-week South American football showpiece reaches its climax at the Estadio Nacional with a dream final pitting the favourites against the hosts, and the stakes could not be any higher for both sides.
Messi heads a star-studded Argentina desperate to write their own piece of history by winning a first international title since 1993, 12 months after an agonizing defeat to Germany in last year’s World Cup final.
Meanwhile, Chile are anxious to finally shed their unwanted tag as the perennial nearly men of South American football, ending 99 years of hurt by winning a first Copa America.
An Argentine triumph would crown a remarkable season for Messi, who less than a month ago completed a treble-winning campaign with victory in the Champions League final.
It would also erase the sense of frustration Messi has often felt at international level, 10 years after he led Argentina to victory as a teenager in the 2005 Under-20 World Cup.
“This generation is desperate to win a title with the national team,” Messi told reporters on the eve of the Copa America.
“As a team, we deserve to win something and it would mean so much after the World Cup last year where we came so close.”
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, who featured in an Under-20 World Cup-winning side in 2007, believes defeat is not an option. “If this generation of players don’t win anything we’re going to regret it for the rest of our lives,” the Manchester City star said.
Santiago: Argentine forward Sergio Aguero is hoping winning the Copa America will make up for his dismal performance in the World Cup.
Argentina went into the final of the World Cup last year but were beaten by Germany courtesy of a Mario Gotze winner in extra-time.
Aguero struggled for form and fitness throughout that tournament, but has so far been impressive in Copa America this year with three goals so far.
“I always said that what happened at the World Cup, because I did not get there in the best condition, kept a thorn in me,” Aguero was quoted as saying by goal.com on Friday.
“Now I feel better, I arrived better and it’s a debt that I’m trying to pay in the Copa. We will always have a bitter taste from the final with Germany, but winning the Copa would give us much happiness,” he said.
Santiago: Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has warned his teammates not to be focussed solely on stopping star striker Lionel Messi in the Copa America final, but concentrate on the entire opposition.
The keeper plays with Messi and Javier Mascherano for FC Barcelona and knows first-hand the quality that both possess.
On Saturday, they will go head-to-head in the Copa America final.
He admitted that such knowledge gives him some cause for concern, but suggested that Chile must focus on the entirety of Gerardo Martino’s side and not just one player.
“The truth is that it is not easy, seeing the quality that Leo has and what he has done throughout his career, it’s been amazing,” Bravo said in a press conference on Friday.
“I think that our focus is the team – that as a team we can control Leo and the other class players.
“Javier is a very valuable player who gives character to your team, is the heart of the side.
“The performance of the team does not only go through Javier or Leo.” Ahead of the clash at the Estadio Nacional, Bravo insisted Chile are not afraid of taking on the World Cup 2014 runners-up and that Jorge Sampaoli has prepared the team well.
“We never have fear with any team. We have the maximum respect for all national teams,” he added.
“The feeling which is not only mine, but of all my team-mates, is of great happiness to see that the work we are doing is on track.
“By continuing the style of play we had under (former coach Marecelo) Bielsa we have always tried to capture the idea that Chile play as equals with any team.
“We are prepared, we know how he have to play. We have always tried to play and suffocate with our pressing.”
There have been worries of the fitness of La Roja’s star striker Alexis Sánchez, but Bravo was quick to allay suggestions that he may miss the showpiece event.
“He worked normally, is fine and in good condition. No player has been ruled out.”
