3️⃣ questions ahead of the Copa América final

We’ve reached the conclusion of this rip-roaring edition of Copa América as Argentina take on Colombia in Miami this weekend.

Ahead the Hard Rock Stadium showdown, we’ll take a look at a few of the big questions.

How big of a role will Leo play?

It’s no secret that Messi has been quiet during Copa América this summer. The Inter Miami man has been dealing with a knock, missing the final group game as a result, and he only scored his first goal of the tournament in the semi-final against Canada this past week.

Yet Messi is Messi. The great man only needs one night to define a tournament, as we saw on the final night in Qatar just two years ago.

The supporting cast needs their flowers however, and Messi was the first to point that out after his side booked qualification to the final.

“What this team has done, what the Argentina national team has done, because after this everyone gives more importance to all the finals that me and the older guys have played,” Messi said after the victory over Canada. “Me, Fide [Ángel Di María], Ota [Nicolás Otamendi] and that Argentina can play another final is amazing.”

Despite the role of the players around him, you simply can’t look past the idea that Messi will show up when he is needed most on Sunday.

Are Colombia impenetrable?

Despite not boasting a never-ending list of European-based superstar like Brazil, Argentina, or even Uruguay, Colombia have quietly become one of the most formidable international sides on the planet.

After playing 10 men against Uruguay in the semi-final for the entire second-half, Néstor Lorenzo’s side showed a champion’s resolve to hold on in the face of pressure and earn a famous victory.

Los Cafeteros are now unbeaten in two years (28 games) and don’t look like slowing down at any time.

The combination of trickery, pace, and power in the front line mixed into a pot with veteran steel at the back, Colombia have become a knockout tournament juggernaut.

Which streak will break?

Something has to give.

Argentina have become the kings of knockout competitions in the past half-decade now that Lionel Messi has finally found the winning formula in the blue and white shirt.

Yet Colombia have become that splinter in your foot that you simply can’t pull out, no matter how sharp the tweezers.

If anybody has the finesse to pluck the splinter, its an Argentina side that have shown up in their last two major tournament finals, but all reigns come to an end at some point.

As reference earlier, Colombia haven’t suffered defeat in two years. The last opponent to taste victory against the Colombians? Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Something has to give.