Argentina skipper Lionel Messi is aiming at winning the 2019 Copa America title after admitting that he could potentially miss out on playing at the 2020 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The 31-year-old forward is currently preparing for this summer's championship scheduled to take place in Brazil.
Despite his trophy-laden club career with Barcelona, the Rosario-born striker is yet to win any major tournament with the Albiceleste. It is certainly not for the lack of trying as, in the last five years, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has led his country to a World Cup final and back-to-back finals in the Copa America.
Having taken brief breaks from the national team following the heartbreak of losing the 2016 Copa America final and the Round of 16 elimination at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Messi now looks poised to lead his side to glory after participating in recent friendlies. Speaking to Fox Sports Radio in Argentina, the aging skipper highlighted his desire to win a trophy with the potential of not participating at the 2022 World Cup staring at him.
"I do not know if I will reach the World Cup in Qatar.
"God will decide whether it is given to me or not. Today I feel great, very well physically, but I'm [almost] 32 years old and I don't know how it's going to go.
"A lot of things can happen, I hope I don't have any serious injuries.
"I want to finish my career having won something with the Argentine national team, or if not, having tried as many times as possible," Messi added.
"I do not want to be left with the feeling that it did not happen and I let opportunities pass by."
The weight of the whole Argentina will once again be on the shoulders of Lionel Messi and his teammates with the 15-time continental champions aiming to win its first trophy in over two decades. The Albiceleste approaches the 2019 Copa America on the back of four runners-up finishes in the last five editions.
