2011 Argentina Home – Lionel Messi #10 Youth XL

The 2011 calendar year was significant for Argentina, as the country hosted the Copa América for the first time since 1987. Expectations were high, with Lionel Messi leading the team on home soil.

• Copa América 2011:

  • Group Stage: Argentina opened with two disappointing draws (1–1 vs. Bolivia, 0–0 vs. Colombia) before beating Costa Rica 3–0.

  • Quarterfinals: Faced Uruguay in Santa Fe. The match ended 1–1 (Gonzalo Higuaín scored for Argentina), but Uruguay won 5–4 on penalties.

  • Result: Argentina were eliminated in the quarterfinals, sparking criticism of the team and coach Sergio Batista.

• Friendlies: Throughout the year, Argentina played several international friendlies as they sought to rebuild chemistry with Messi at the core.

• Key Storyline: The Copa América exit was seen as a failure, given Argentina’s talent (Messi, Agüero, Tevez, Higuaín, Di María, Mascherano). Batista was sacked soon after, and Alejandro Sabella was appointed later in 2011, beginning the process that would eventually lead Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final.

• Kit: The 2011 home jersey by Adidas featured Argentina’s traditional sky blue and white stripes with black trim, a modern update with bold striping and a clean collar.

2. Player’s Impact – Lionel Messi (2011)

At just 24 years old, Lionel Messi was already widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, having won the 2010 Ballon d’Or and leading Barcelona to Champions League glory in May 2011.

• Copa América 2011:

  • Played all 4 matches for Argentina.

  • Provided 2 assists (including setting up Higuaín’s goal vs. Uruguay) but did not score.

  • Criticized by local media for failing to replicate his Barcelona form with the national team, despite often being double-marked and played out of position.

• Role: Played as a withdrawn forward/attacking midfielder, linking with Tevez, Agüero, and Di María. Argentina struggled tactically, which limited Messi’s influence.

• Legacy: The 2011 Copa América was a turning point in Messi’s international career. Though heavily criticized, this tournament was part of the adversity that shaped his eventual triumphs, culminating in the Copa América 2021 and World Cup 2022 victories.

3. Full Squad List – Argentina Copa América 2011

Manager: Sergio Batista

Goalkeepers:

• Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)

• Mariano Andújar (Catania)

• Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate)

Defenders:

• Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)

• Nicolás Burdisso (Roma)

• Gabriel Milito (Barcelona)

• Nicolás Pareja (Spartak Moscow)

• Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow)

• Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)

• Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid)

Midfielders:

• Javier Mascherano (Barcelona, Captain)

• Éver Banega (Valencia)

• Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht)

• Fernando Gago (Real Madrid)

• Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan)

• Javier Pastore (Palermo)

• Ángel Di María (Real Madrid)

Forwards:

• Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

• Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid)

• Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)

• Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid)

• Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)

• Diego Milito (Inter Milan)