EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JUNE 26: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina takes the ball as Jean Beausejour #15 of Chile defends during the Copa America Centenario Championship match at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.Chile defeated Argentina 0-0 with the 4-2 win in the shootout. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The 2019 summer Copa America tournament of South American teams kicks off Friday with hosts Brazil taking on Bolivia. The group stage will last until June 24th, with the knockout stages finding a winner in the final on July 7.
Chile have won the tournament the past two times and will be looking for a hat trick of trophies in the space of six years. South American teams aren’t the only teams in the tournament, however, as for the first time in the history of the tournament, two teams from Asia — Japan and Qatar — were invited to participate in the tournament.
Per Oddschecker, Brazil are favorites to hoist the cup with 6-5 odds, followed by Argentina (15-4) and Uruguay (15-2). Brazil are without Neymar for the remainder of the tournament, as he suffered a right ankle injury in a friendly against Qatar on June 5.
The Brazil Football Confederation released a statement on Neymar’s status.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
“After suffering a sprain in his right ankle during Wednesday’s game against Qatar, Neymar was evaluated and subjected to complementary imaging tests that confirmed ligament rupture in the ankle,” the statement read, according to ESPN. “Due to the seriousness of the injury, Neymar will not have the physical conditions and sufficient recovery time to participate in the Copa America.” Neymar also faces rape charges.
Brazil remains favorites, as Argentina has a track record of performing poorly in major international tournaments, as Lionel Messi has famously failed to win any trophies with his nation. This tournament seems to be following the same suit.
SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019- IN MEMORIAM SLIDESHOW
“We go there with the same excitement and hope as always but the reality is we are in a period of transition and are not candidates,” Messi said, according to the Independent. Despite the team having one of the best strike forces in the world, the remainder of the squad can’t seem to match their ability. Argentina hasn’t won a Copa America since 1993.
Argentina open their tournament run against Colombia, a solid side led by playmaker James Rodriguez. Oddly enough, Japan or Qatar have a chance of winning the Copa America before Messi could. The Copa America will be broadcasted in Spanish on Telemundo, or it can be streamed with ESPN+, with Brazil opening against Bolivia on Friday at 8:30 p.m. EST.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OJJiRi8HMus Los Angeles Dodgers player Kike Hernandez was spotted on the streets of Tokyo on…
The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled through 2024 with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson as their quarterbacks,…
The Kansas City Chiefs may have lost this past Super Bowl, but if history's taught…
Gardner Minshew is heading to Kansas City, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Chiefs.…
https://youtu.be/TYE3poRLl0c The trial of seven medical professionals accused of negligence in the death of Diego…
The Washington Commanders announced in February that they were allowing two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle…