Lionel Scaloni Hopeful Copa America 2020 Won’t Be Lionel Messi’s Last After Draw

JACK GUEZ/Getty Images

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is hoping next year's Copa America will not be Lionel Messi‘s last with La Albiceleste after the draw for the tournament was made on Tuesday. 

Messi will turn 33 midway through the group stage of the 2020 Copa.

Scaloni said: “I don't know if it will be the last. Hopefully not. But Argentina need the title, more than just him. Hopefully, don't promise anything, but we'll give the maximum to reach the final.”

Unlike the 2019 edition, in which eight teams advanced to the quarter-finals from three groups of four, next year's competition will see the teams divided into two groups of six with the top four of each advancing.

Argentina, who will host the competition alongside Colombia, have been drawn against Australia, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay:

Copa América @CopaAmerica

¡DEFINIDOS LOS GRUPOS!
Nada evitará que vibres con esta @CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica 2020.
¿En qué grupo quedó tu selección? https://t.co/CNB40oqjjN

Here's a look at La Albiceleste's schedule for the group stage:

GOLAZO @golazoargentino

And the fixtures for 🇦🇷 #CopaAmerica2020

Chile 🇨🇱
🏟 Monumental
📆 Fri 12/06

Uruguay 🇺🇾
🏟 Kempes
📆 Tues 16/06

Paraguay 🇵🇾
🏟 Monumental
📆 Sat 20/06

Australia 🇦🇺
🏟 Monumental
📆 Fri 26/06

Bolivia🇧🇴
🏟 La Plata
📆 Tues 30/06

Argentina will open their campaign against Chile. La Roja beat them on penalties in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, though Scaloni's side did come out on top in the third-place play-off in this year's tournament.

Scaloni welcomed the challenge:

“It's a nice game to start. Anyone would have been difficult because the debut is always difficult, but this one has a special feeling.

“Chile has always been difficult for Argentina, especially in recent times. Difficult, but we are fine.”

For all the talent they possess, Argentina have often underperformed in recent years. 

Argentina football writer Roy Nemer was encouraged by what he saw from La Albiceleste when they beat Brazil 1-0 and held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw in November, though:

Roy Nemer @RoyNemer

Lionel Scaloni's team were more threatening and had more chances. Two matches in a span of four days against the two biggest rivals. One win, one draw. But it's not just the results but the way the team has improved. The players are motivated and everyone works hard.

If they finish in the top two of Group A, they'll play on home soil up until the final, which will be played in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Colombia will be on home soil throughout if they do the same in Group B, where their biggest rivals will be defending champions Brazil, who did not even concede a goal in this year's competition until the final.

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The Selecao will face off against Los Cafeteros on June 27 in their fourth group-stage match.

Asian champions Qatar will return as one of the two guest sides, while Australia will make their Copa America debut.

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