Lionel Messi's influence on viewership and his performance in the Copa America has been a focal point of recent discussions. Fox Sports reported a record-breaking 1.87 million viewers for Argentina's penalty shootout victory over Ecuador in the quarter-finals, marking the most-watched quarter-final match in Copa America history on the English-language American channel. This surge in viewership is largely attributed to Messi's participation, especially following his move to Inter Miami, which has significantly boosted his popularity in the United States.
The viewership spike represents a 482% increase over the average matches of the same round in the 2021 tournament and a 57% increase over 2016. Argentina, led by Messi, is now set to face Canada in the semi-finals, with the match taking place in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final will be held in Miami Gardens, Florida, next Sunday.
Messi's journey in the tournament has been marked by challenges, particularly as he confronts the inevitable effects of age and injuries at 37. Despite these hurdles, Messi remains a crucial player for Argentina. His performance has been a mix of brilliance and caution, as seen in the quarter-final match against Ecuador where he had limited touches on the ball but still managed to create key opportunities.
The playing conditions in the United States have also been a topic of criticism, with several players, including Messi, expressing concerns over the patched playing fields that have led to injuries. Despite these conditions, Argentina has shown a strong performance, winning their first three matches before a tough game against Ecuador.
Canada, led by Alphonso Davies, has been the surprise package of the tournament, eliminating three Conmebol teams to reach the semi-finals. Their match against Argentina will be a test of their resilience and Messi's ability to lead his team to another Copa America final.
Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, has expressed confidence in Messi's ability to play despite not being at 100%. Scaloni's trust in Messi's self-assessment of his fitness has kept the star player on the field, even when he is not fully fit. As Argentina prepares for the semi-final, all eyes will be on Messi, who continues to captivate fans and drive viewership, proving that his influence extends beyond the pitch.
