Messi hopes to end title jinx as Copa kicks off

Argentina are favourites to end a 22-year trophy drought when the Copa America kicks off here Thursday as a resurgent Brazil chase redemption following their ill-fated campaign at last year’s World Cup.

One of the most eagerly anticipated Copas in years gets under way in Santiago, with hosts Chile launching the three-week extravaganza of South American football against Ecuador in Group A at 8.30pm (2330 GMT).

The 12-team tournament is a convention of football’s deadliest attacking talents, with a galaxy of Europe-based stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar, James Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez and Edinson Cavani set to shine.

The competition also comes as a welcome relief to South America’s governing body CONMEBOL, which has been battered by corruption allegations in the ongoing scandal which has rocked world football.

Argentina captain Messi and Brazilian counterpart Neymar head to Chile less than a week after inspiring Barcelona to their Champions League triumph in Berlin on Saturday, the final act of a glittering treble-winning season.

Both No.10s are carrying the weight of expectation on their shoulders, with Messi determined to finally taste glory at a major international tournament with Argentina and Neymar aiming to erase the memory of last year’s World Cup.

While Messi has been the key figure in Barcelona’s emergence as the dominant force in club football over the past decade, he has yet to taste victory in an Argentina shirt, a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics aside.

“Our aim is to win this year,” said Messi, who fell agonizingly short of ending Argentina’s jinx in an extra-time defeat to Germany in last year’s World Cup final. “It’s great to play with the national team, to wear the shirt and to be captain,” Messi added.