Injured Neymar is missing for hosts Brazil but Lionel Messi leads Argentina in their quest for a first title in 26 years as South America’s Copa America tournament kicks off today. 
Expectations are not only high for five-time world champions Brazil to be in the final in the Maracana on July 7 but also for Messi to end his title drought with the national team. 
Reigning champions Chile are seeking to become the first team in 72 years to win the tournament for the third consecutive year, while teams like Uruguay and Colombia will be hoping to make an impression. 
After 12 years without a title, much is at stake for Brazil’s Selecao in front of their own fans. Full-back Filipe Luis said: “We never thought about being part of a failed generation. It’s a new opportunity to make history in the national team jersey.” 
Brazil open the tournament today (0030 GMT Saturday) in Sao Paulo against Bolivia, with memories still not faded of their last home tournament when they went out of the 2014 World Cup in a 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany. 
“This competition is a great opportunity. We have to win at home in front of our fans,” Filipe Luis said. Goalkeeper coach Claudio Taffarel said: “The fans want to see the national team win. It’s not just about playing well. What matters in the end is victory.”  Even without Neymar, Brazil have the likes of Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and keeper Alisson Becker fresh from Champions League triumph. Others such as Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho, or captain Dani Alves with Paris Saint-Germain have enjoyed domestic league title wins. 
Argentina’s expectations are just as high in what could possibly be Lionel Messi’s last major tournament unless the Barcelona forwards decides to stay on for the 2022 World Cup when he will be 35. For all the multiple Ballon d’Or winners triumphs with Barca, a major title with the Albiceleste eludes him following three Copa America final defeats and a World Cup final loss.  “We are very clear about how we want to play,” national coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We have great players, especially in attack. If we are also solid in the defence, we can cause problems.” 
Defending champions Chile, after successive titles in 2015 and the 2016 Centenario, are motivated to win a third title but are not a top favourite, coach Reinaldo Rueda said. 
“Chile will remain true to its DNA, the search for order, the joy of the game, working together,” he said. Uruguay meanwhile can still call on the potent double strike force of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. In addition to South America’s 10 teams, Asian champions Qatar and Japan are taking part as guests.  For 2020 World Cup hosts Qatar, it is an opportunity for the national team under Spanish coach Felix Sanchez to measure themselves against some of the world’s best. 
“To play against such strong teams is an historic opportunity for us,” said striker Almoez Ali, who was top scorer at the Asian Cup earlier this year. The teams are drawn in three groups of four, with the winners, runners-up and two best third-placed teams advancing to the quarter-final knock-out stage.