11:37 HRS IST
Santiago, Jun 10 (AFP) 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. "But getting a title would be the
ultimate for me."
Messi may feel he has a point to prove, four years after
being jeered by his home fans during Argentina's quarter-final
exit to eventual winners Uruguay.
Argentina open their campaign against Paraguay on
Saturday, and should comfortably progress from a Group B which
also includes Uruguay and Jamaica, one of two teams from the
CONCACAF region invited to bolster the tournament.
The biggest threat to Argentina's hopes of topping the
group is likely to come from defending champions Uruguay, who
are bullish about their chances despite the absence of
suspended talisman Luis Suarez. The holders will instead look
to Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani to provide the cutting
edge in attack.