Lionel Messi speaks during celebrations at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona after winning the Champions League final
Lionel Messi and Neymar aren’t used to being upstaged. It could happen as the Copa America — the South American championship — begins its 3 1/2-week run on today in the wake of the FIFA corruption scandal that forced President Sepp Blatter to announce his resignation.
Many of the corruption allegations have centered on the governing body of South American football. Its former president, Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay, was one of 14 people indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice two weeks ago on charges of bribery, racketeering and money-laundering.
Eugenio Figueredo of Uruguay, who succeeded Leoz, was among seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich.
Messi and Argentina teammates Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez have traveled half way around the world from the Champions League final in Berlin, along with Brazil striker Neymar and Chile players Arturo Vidal and Claudio Bravo.
They’ll need to put on a show to claim back the main stage. But they are sure to be jet-lagged while tending to unfinished business from last year’s World Cup.
The major absence is Luis Suarez of Uruguay, who is ineligible and still serving a ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
The main story lines will revolve around Argentina and Brazil. Argentina, the loser in last year’s World Cup final against Germany, hasn’t won a major trophy in 22 years. The last was the Copa America.
Brazil’s 7-1 battering by Germany in the World Cup semifinals will never be forgotten, but it could be softened by winning in Chile.
Colombia and Chile may have their best teams in a generation. Even without Suarez, defending champion Uruguay is a factor.
Play opens today with Chile playing Ecuador in Santiago. Argentina plays Saturday against Paraguay, and Brazil faces Peru on Sunday in its opener. The final is July 4. Ricardo Zuniga, Santiago, AP
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