Watch: Argentina Squad Pays Tribute to Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona Ahead of Copa America 2024

The wait for Copa America 2024 is finally over. 16 teams, 4 groups, and over 32 matches have the attention of the soccer fraternity around the globe. Cutting the ribbon of the tournament is Argentina, who is set to face Canada on Thursday night. With just hours remaining until the kickoff, the Argentina national team has devised a heartfelt tribute to honor their country’s icons, the late Diego Maradona and current captain Lionel Messi.

Every team has its own jingle or a slogan. Interestingly, La Albiceleste stars have come up with a new song that goes like: “Winning another cup with Leo is what I imagine.” The new song was shared by Messi’s on-pitch bodyguard and teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, via his Instagram stories. The Atletico Madrid man shared a clip of all the Argentinian players, sitting on a plane as they were gearing up to fly to Atlanta, Georgia’s Mercedez-Benz Stadium. He also wrote a caption, “Todos juntos,” or as translated by DeepL means, “All together.”

Each player sang the song fervently, creating a rhythm by clapping and banging on various surfaces. Aside from paying tribute to Messi and the country legend Maradona, the song also commemorates the Falklands Conflict, a brief undeclared war between Argentina and Britain that lasted only 74 days from April 2, 1982, to June 14, 1982. Interestingly, Argentina’s latest song is actually the opposite of “Impossible,” a track released in 2003 by Callejeros, an iconic Argentine rock band. This new song was devised by the renowned Argentine influencer and composer, Palmito.

It is quite a heartwarming gesture from all the Argentinian players for Messi. While it will give the skipper another reason to bring the trophy back, it doesn’t rest solely on him!

Lionel Messi doesn’t make Argentina ‘favorites’ for the Copa America 2024!

Rodrigo De Paul knows the significant challenges that Argentina will face from their opponents in the upcoming Copa America. “Because we have Leo, that doesn’t mean anything,” acknowledged the midfielder in an interview. Even though the expectations are high for the 2022 World Champions to secure the trophy again, Lionel Scaloni and his team are prepared to defend their previous victory.

Other 15 nations would be eager to dethrone the reigning champions, but De Paul remains optimistic about the challenge ahead. While highlighting that soccer is a sport where the favorites don’t always win, he added that Argentina is preparing as if it’s their first time, aiming to start strong. The formidable champions are determined not to take anything lightly, even with Lionel Messi, who remains an irreplaceable part of the team.