Messi: "We arrive at the Copa America final in spectacular shape"

Leo Messi put aside any controversy with the directors of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) ahead of the Copa America final between Argentina and Chile. The Rosario star only has the winning of the title on his mind, and for that reason he responded in good spirits to the press, but focused on sporting matters.        

He said: "I would like to speak about the final of the Copa America. Later, after it is over, we will speak and I will tell you, tell you what I saw and what I thought at that moment", in reference to the delay of the Argentine national team's flight which angered him and led him to post an Instagram message.

"I want to end this topic, which I started, and probably made an error for its timing, for it to happen so shortly before the final. Because of that, we want to focus on (the final)", Messi stated.

Having said that, Leo did hint that his frustration at the situation was justified as "it is not the moment to give out advantages as we are so close to an objective that we have a lot of enthusiasm about, and it irritated me a little that the same thing had happened again", regarding the flight delays. 

He continued: "I could respond to the AFA statement, but I prefer to think about the final which is where we have to focus our minds."

Regarding the match itself, against the Chile of Barça teammate Claudio Bravo, Leo Messi admitted that Argentina arrive "very excited, with the desire to lift the trophy that was denied to us in the last Copa America."

Asked about the team's form, Leo believes that they "arrive in spectacular shape. Though it is true that we have to show this on the pitch and that we play against a great team that are the holders."

Messi thinks a defeat "would be a great disappointment, but not a failure", because Argentina are reaching finals consistently.