Copa America 2019: Best XI going into the tournament

Number 10: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Can Messi finally end his international trophy drought?

Barcelona might have been running on fumes, but the Argentine maestro was firing on all cylinders: 36 goals in LaLiga, 50 in all competitions, and Spanish Pichichi as well as the European Golden Boot in the bag. It was Lionel Messi just being Lionel Messi.

He literally peeled his side off the ground on multiple occasions and dragged them to a frankly undeserved victory. If only he was helped enough by his teammates, Messi would have finished the campaign with more than just a league title.

Copa America presents an opportunity to end a spectacular season on an altogether different high. We all know he’s been denied twice previously in the finals, but he’s at his rip-roaring best right now. And looks perfectly in shape to set the record straight.

Striker: Sergio Aguero (Argentina)

Aguero's partnership with Messi will be a key factor in Argentina's fortunes

Unlike his time at Barcelona, Messi won’t have to do it all by himself in the Argentine set-up, due to the presence of Sergio Aguero. The Manchester City star too is coming off the back of a prolific campaign, having struck 32 times in all competitions en route to lifting the domestic treble.

Aguero will be the focal point of La Albiceleste’s stellar vanguard, and will hope to fire his side to glory this time around.

Striker: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Suarez will be desperate to make a mark

Honestly, Atlanta’s breakout star Duvan Zapata has made a strong case to feature here after a terrific campaign in Serie A. But the Barcelona star still edges his Colombian counterpart as he’s been there and done that several times in the past.

A season touted to be ‘underwhelming’ regardless yielded 21 goals in the league, including a treble against arch rivals Real Madrid. And he’s just too important to Uruguay’s fortunes to have him dropped from the list.

Interestingly, this is set to his first proper participation in the Copa America since 2011, having missed the 2015 edition due to an international ban and the following one due to an injury. So naturally, Suarez would be raring to make a mark.