Argentina suffered an agonizing defeat to Chile in the climax of last June's tournament in Santiago as their major championship drought continued.
However, Messi and his teammates have the opportunity to strike back at Chile after being drawn alongside their South American rivals in Group D here Sunday.
The Copa America Centenario is taking place outside South America for the first time this year to mark 100 years of the world's oldest international football tournament.
Argentina's clash with Chile was the standout fixture from Sunday's draw at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Panama and Bolivia complete Group D.
Host United States will kick off the tournament against Colombia in the opening match on June 3 at Super Bowl venue Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The match may carry a good omen for the United States, who beat Colombia in the 1994 World Cup group stages, a game made infamous by the own goal from Colombian defender Andres Escobar, who was later murdered in his homeland in an apparent reprisal.
=========================
The Americans' Group A is full of demanding challenges, with 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists Colombia and Costa Rica as well as 2015 Copa America semi-finalists Paraguay.
"It's a very difficult group, but it's doable, and this is what a Copa America is about," US coach Jurgen Klinsmann told Univision television.
Five-time world champions Brazil, however, were given
what looked like a straightforward passage into the knockout rounds, with Ecuador, Haiti and Peru forming their opposition in Group B.
Brazil will open their campaign against Ecuador at the Pasadena Rose Bowl -- scene of their 1994 World Cup final triumph -- on June 4.
Organizers of the Copa America Centenario are banking on a star-studded tournament featuring the world's best players led by Messi and his Barcelona teammates Neymar of Brazil and Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez.
However, Argentina's opening game against Chile at Santa Clara on June 6 takes place just three days after Messi's trial for tax fraud in Spain is due to be completed.
Brazil star Neymar, meanwhile, faces a potentially gruelling summer with the Copa America in June followed by the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.
The tournament is taking place against the backdrop of a year of tumult for football in South America and the CONCACAF region, which groups Central America, North America and the Caribbean.
Several high-ranking officials from South America's governing body CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have been indicted in the US-led corruption investigation that ultimately led to the downfall of global soccer chief Sepp Blatter.
According to US investigators, business deals surrounding the Copa America Centenario had served to generate millions of dollars in bribes for officials implicated in the corruption scandal.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹810
1 Year
₹67/Month
Super Saver
₹1,170
2 Years
₹48/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories
Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app