$GT Argentina

The team itself has raised its bar of requirements and expectations to the maximum level. After all, it is currently the reigning trophy holder won in Qatar in 2022, and it is already a two-time winner of the Copa America. And in qualification there weren’t any particular problems either—there the team was the best in its region.

At the tournament itself in Messi’s camp, there were no issues in the group stage. All three matches—against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan—were won with a 2–3 goal margin, and the captain scored. Leo continued to amaze opponents’ goals in the playoffs as well, but how much harder it became for the Latin Americans—especially since they were fighting with underdogs! They pushed Cabo Verde through in extra time, after a 2:2 draw in regular time. And for Egypt, things were even threatening to turn to 0:2, because the number ten again failed to convert a penalty. But then class and character showed— they managed to secure a comeback win in regular time!