Brazil vs. Argentina: Which CONMEBOL Team Has Better Copa America 2015?
Barcelona recently won the 2014-15 Spanish League championship for the 23rd time in franchise history much in part to their dynamic offensive pair of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Although the two have been teammates since 2013, they will each be facing off against one another in the 2015 Copa America this summer. The Copa America is of course South America's biggest and most recognizable soccer tournament that dates back to 1916. This year's Copa America will be played in Chile, and it begins on June 11.
Brazil and Argentina represent one of the biggest international soccer rivalries of all-time. Brazil has won the most FIFA World Cups ever with five, however Argentina has the edge in Copa America titles, 14-8. In a little while we should be hearing from Brazilian soccer legend Pele on why Neymar is better than Messi. This rivalry runs deep.
The last seven matches have ended with four Brazil victories, two draws and just one win from Argentina.
This Copa America is particularly huge for numerous reasons. One, Argentina is looking to make history as the greatest South American National Team in continental history. Argentina has won 14 Copa America championships, the second most ever behind Uruguay who has 15. Messi led this nation to the World Cup finals last year but unfortunately lost to Germany in the championship, and he has yet to win a Copa America. As a matter of fact, Argentina hasn't won this tournament since 1993 when they defeated Mexico in the finals.
For Brazil, the stakes are just as high. Just last summer they were embarrassed on their home soil against Germany in the notorious 7-1 route in the knockout stage. Brazil has the third most Copa America titles of all-time with eight, however they have won four of the last six tournaments since Argentina won their last back in 1993. This is Neymar's time to shine. Neymar scored four goals in the World Cup last year but couldn't finish because of a vertebra injury. Neymar has been named Brazil's team captain ahead of Thiago Silva.
Brazil defeated Argentina in the finals in both 2004 and 2007. Messi was a member of the '07 Argentina squad that lost in the finals. However, geography may be on Argentina's side. The last time a Copa America was played in Chile was 1991. That year Argentina defeated Brazil in the finals. Again, this rivalry runs deep.
Argentina is in Group B with Uruguay, Paraguay and Jamaica. Argentina is currently the No. 2 ranked team in the world. Uruguay ranks No. 8, Jamaica ranks No. 74 and Paraguay ranks No. 81.
Brazil is in Group C with Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. Brazil is currently the No. 5 ranked team in the world. Colombia ranks No. 4, Peru ranks No. 63 and Venezuela ranks No. 69.
There's no doubt Brazil has the tougher group to get past. Argentina may have Uruguay in their group, but we must remember that Luis Suarez (also on Barcelona) will not be playing in this Copa America because of his biting incident.
Barcelona's starting goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will also be playing in the upcoming Copa America. He will be looking to lead Chile to their first ever championship.
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