Our prediction for this match:
Argentina will be aiming to extend their winning run to four games when they take on Ecuador in an eagerly-awaited friendly at Soldier Field (Chicago). La Albiceleste have big ambitions for the 2024 Copa America and they surely want to use Sunday’s friendly as a good preparation for the upcoming challenges. Roma striker Paulo Dybala has been omitted, while the likes of Nahuel Molina, German Pezzella, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, and Enzo Fernandez should miss out with injuries.
El Tri, on the other hand, failed to upset Italy in their last warm-up game and they face yet another difficult task against Argentina. As Leo Messi is widely expected to start for the nominal hosts, we are tempted to place our bets on the World Cup winners. The likes of Enner Valencia, Moises Caicedo, and Piero Hincapie are the most notable players in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Lionel Messi):
Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best players in the history of football. He was born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario and he began his football career at Newell’s Old Boys. At age 10 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, but having realized his potential at a young age, Barcelona decided to pay for his treatment.
Messi joined Barca in 2001 and he has been playing for the Camp Nou outfit ever since. The Argentine magician has won eight La Liga trophies with Barca and he helped the Catalan giants lift no less than four Champions League titles (2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2014/2015).
In the 2011/2012 La Liga campaign Messi scored 50 goals for Barca, while netting 14 goals in the 2011/2012 Champions League campaign. The five-time Golden Ball award winner has established himself as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, but he has yet to win a trophy with Argentina national team at major tournaments. Leo Messi, though, has won Olympic Gold Medal (2008) and FIFA World Youth Championship (2005), with la Albiceleste.
Highlighted Team (Ecuador):
Ecuador had endured difficult times in footballing terms having been considered to be one of the more struggling football nations in South America, but the Tri have managed to transform themselves into a team that can never be taken lightly at the international scene.
Ecuador has taken part in three of the 22 World Cups with 12 position they achieved in 2006 in Germany being their best result so far. La Tricolor head into Copa America Centenario tied at the top of CONMEBOL’s World Cup qualifying table and their chances of making it through from group B have been increased with good results and alike performances.
Ivan Hurtado played for El Tri since 1992 to 2014 and former centre-back remains the most capped international with 168 games to his name. Ecuador captain Walter Ayovi is the active player with most games in the national team, while Felipe Caicedo with 19 goals is the top scorer of Gustavo Quinteros’ side.