On Monday night in Cuiabá, Brazil, Lionel Messi became the most capped player in the storied, 119-year history of Argentina’s national team. Let his commitment to the cause never be questioned, even if he’s questioned it himself.
A few days after Messi’s 34th birthday, his peerless precision was still plenty evident as well. Bolivia may have been the weakest side at the 2021 Copa América, but Messi has picked apart plenty of good teams too. He had two goals and an assist in Monday’s first-round finale, a 4–1 Argentina win that sealed the top spot in the group and a Saturday quarterfinal matchup with Ecuador.