Copa America image source
It’s a wonderful, wonderful year to be a football fan. And these two events happen just in time to ameliorate my sadness thanks to a tragedy that befell my family. But enough moping around, major international tournaments are here! The Copa America is the oldest international football tournament in the world, with this event marking a century since its inception. However, since the winner of this edition of the Copa won’t qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup between continental champions it is seen as less important by some. Point of fact Neymar of Brazil chose to enter a competition that his nation hasn’t won yet: the Olympics, the one he’s going to is the 2016 edition in his home country Brazil in the city of Rio. However others put much more prestige on this tournament, especially teams who want to regain their glories. Like Argentina. Lionel Messi has never won an international title at the senior level, so he would be very motivated to claim this one. Argentina will look to gain an International titleSuarez’s return from his bite-caused ban will make the Uruguayan want to prove himself truly return triumphant to his nation. Also, the Us as a host country will join this one. James Rodriguez will also look to better his mediocre club performance in Real Madrid. I sincerely hope Argentina will win it, and Messi to take Argentina back to the top of the world by winning the 2018 World Cup, thereby truly surpassing Maradona.
On the European side of things, the Euro is going to be the most prestigious continental tournament (in my opinion). This, for me at least, is because of the amount of talent spread out more evenly on a greater number of nations than in South America. Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance here will differ based on the result of the Champions League final, for if he loses it than he might be more driven to earn the one title left he can win this year. However, Portugal is not considered a European juggernaut recently. England is flush with young talent and could go deep in the tournament, and Spain as always is filled with incredible quality but hindered by rivalries between some of its members. The team with the best depth i.e. France and Germany are my favorites to be the ones having the best chance. I hope France wins it.