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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Albiceleste out to defend continental crown</li><li>Off to the perfect start on U.S. soil</li><li>Captain involved in both goals of 2-0 victory</li></ul>

Lionel Messi reacts to taking ‘first step’ towards trophy No.45 – with most-decorated player in history helping Argentina to open Copa America title defence with win over Canada

<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">became the most-decorated player in history when helping club side Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory</a> in 2023. He is hoping to land more major honours with the Florida-based franchise in 2024, as they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-mls-mvp-only-clown-disagree-ex-usmnt-star-taylor-twellman-inter-miami-superstar-rewriting-history/blt39d8b7dfad9797ba" target="_blank">chase down MLS Cup glory</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>For now, Messi’s focus is locked on international matters. Argentina are looking to defend the continental crown that they captured back in 2021. They have made the perfect start in another Copa quest, with that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/argentina-player-ratings-canada-lionel-messi-julian-alvarez-lautaro-martinez-copa-america/blt3bf3550fd5e7c30b" target="_blank">tournament opened with a 2-0 victory over Canada</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/so-good-how-lionel-messi-ruined-canada-copa-america-game-plan-jesse-marsch-reacts-magical-moments-argentina-goat/bltc652e4b1c527dcde" target="_blank">involved in both of Argentina’s goals against Canada</a>, which were scored by Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, with the all-time great delighted to be taking positive steps down another path that could end with him lifting another piece of silverware.</p><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8djxnMiM9P/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT MESSI SAID

<p>Argentina will be back in action next Tuesday when taking on Chile, before completing their Copa group stage against Peru. Messi will be free to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/no-lionel-messi-five-games-how-inter-miami-survive-copa-america-without-captain/blt84231bd21a0d395b" target="_blank">keep an eye on how Inter Miami get on</a> during a break in international duty, with the Herons – who <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-tata-martino-major-league-soccer/bltf2bb68425417e481" target="_blank">have been faring admirably without him</a> - set to face Nashville on Saturday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi reacts to taking ‘first step’ towards trophy No.45 – with most-decorated player in history helping Argentina to open Copa America title defence with win over Canada | Goal.com Australia

Lionel Messi has reacted to taking the “first step” towards trophy No.45 of his record-breaking career, with Argentina up and running at Copa America.