FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) and Neymar (#11) (Photo : Reuters)
The 2015 UEFA Champions League winner FC Barcelona appears to be well represented in this year's Copa America. Considered as the top two best players in the world right now, Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Neymar captain their respective teams for this South American tournament.
Analysts suggest that a possible final showdown may happen between the two football Titans, but fellow Barça teammate Claudio Bravo of Chile may have something to say about that.
Argentina's Javier Mascherano and Brazil's last-minute call-up Dani Alves round out the five Barcelona players that will participate in this summer's competitions.
Argentina, Brazil, and host nation Chile are all favorites to win this year's Copa America edition, and these five players may have influenced the betting odds to favor these top three teams.
Messi and Mascherano banner the Argentinians who are hungry for this tourney's title in an effort to ease the pain of previous international failures.
Argentina lost to Germany, 1-0, in the 2014 FIFA World Cup while they also lost to perennial contenders Uruguay via a penalty kick in the quarterfinals of the most recent Copa America that the country hosted in 2011.
Messi reportedly wants to erase the bitter memory of both these loses and he is also eager to show his fans and fellow countrymen that he could do just as good for their nation as with Barça, ESPN reported.
Meanwhile, Neymar and Alves will try to lead Brazil to another championship finish that they last tasted in the Venezuela games in 2007. Brazil defeated Argentina, 3-0, in the Copa America final that year and they hope to duplicate it once more this year.
Lastly, Barça goalkeeper Bravo hopes to continue his Champions League form to lead Chile to the country's first-ever Copa America title, as per Bleacher Report.
The hosts open the tournament against Ecuador on Thursday evening local time.
