It is Copa América’s 100th birthday and the best of the best have been invited to celebrate the tournament’s centenario.
Sixteen teams, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay, United States and Venezuela, will be battling for the championship in stadiums across the U.S., starting June 3.
Argentina, known for their attacking prowess and defensive discipline, has not been able to lift a major trophy since their triumph at Copa América 1993, but Albiceleste fans are hoping for better results this year.
Despite the previous fact, the Argentine squad is still a consistent favorite in any tournament because of their proud and decorated history. Having international soccer star Lionel “Leo” Messi on the team does not hurt either.
Here are 16 things to know about Argentine midfielder:
1) He was born on June 24, 1987. He is a Gemini.
2) He is of Italian descent.
3) He was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) as a child.
4) His nickname is “The Atomic Flea.” It is a reference to his speed, size and agility.
5) Messi met the mother of his children, Antonella Roccuzzo, when he was five years old. They welcomed their first son, Thiago, in 2012 and Mateo in 2015.
6) He has two family tattoos. Thiago’s hands and name on the back of his left calf, and a portrait of his mother, Celia Cuccitini, on his left shoulder blade.
7) He was offered the chance to play for the Spanish U20s in 2004 but he turned them down to stay in Argentina.
8) His first game with Argentina in 2005 proved to be one of the worst debuts of all time. He was sent off after just 47 seconds in for reacting badly to a challenge.
9) Messi’s first contract to play for Barcelona was written on a napkin. When the scout saw how good he was, he did not want to waste a moment, so he reached for the first thing he could find. Rumor has it he juggled oranges and tennis balls with his feet to secure his position in the club.
10) Messi has a Guinness World Record for the most goals in a calendar year with 91.
11) He also has the all-time scoring record for Barcelona, 427 goals as of January 2016.
12) He has won 26 trophies, the most in Spain’s fútbol history.
13) He was also the youngest player to score 200 goals in La Liga at 25 years old.
14) Messi is the first player to get five FIFA Ballon d’Or placements, three first places and two second places.
15) Just like his fellow soccer player, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Leo is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
16) He also created “The Leo Messi Foundation,” an association that focuses on the wellness of children in impoverished situations, supplying access to health care, education, and sports. If that wasn’t enough, he also funds research, training, and facilities in the medical field, and his “Messi and Friends” soccer matches are huge charitable events.
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