SANTA CLARA, California — Time is running out for Lionel Messi. Athough the Barcelona and Argentina star is just 28, the Copa America Centenario represents the last great chance he has to win a trophy with his country.
Messi was just six years old the last time Argentina won a major tournament, with Gabriel Batistuta firing his country to a 2-1 win over Mexico in the 1993 Copa America final.
Watching on in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina, 23 years ago, Messi was just a student of the beautiful game. Now he is its greatest exponent.