The Albiceleste captain was incensed by the manner of his team's elimination in Brazil two years ago and now has another chance to claim the trophy
Aside from yet another disappointment in major international competition, in Argentine eyes, the 2019 Copa America will always be remembered as the moment when the usually calm and collected Lionel Messi finally blew his top.
Incensed at what he and many of his compatriots saw as biased refereeing during the Albiceleste's semi-final defeat at the hands of hosts and eventual winners Brazil, the Barcelona star then saw red after going toe to toe with fearsome Chile enforcer Gary Medel in the third-place play-off.
His subsequent comments to the press earned him a three-month ban from CONMEBOL, as well as widespread praise back home from observers not accustomed to the quiet superstar speaking his mind quite so freely.
