On June 13th, Lionel Messi and the rest of the players for the Argentina national football team will don the Argentina home jersey 2015 2016 for their first game of the 2015 Copa America. The fixture, a
group stage faceoff with Paraguay, will begin the Argentina soccer team's campaign for a third title in this prestigious South American football event. And based on the country's performance at last year's World Cup, they are the de facto frontrunners to win this year's Copa in Chile. We will assess the Copa America history for Argentina and why they are the favorites to win this year's tournament.
Prepare for all the excitement today, by visiting Soccer Box and picking up a brand new Argentina football shirt. We recently received stock of the soccer team's brand new 2015 2016 kits from Adidas. Whether you prefer the look of the white and sky blue Argentina home jersey, or the navy blue style of the Argentina away shirt 2015 2016, we've got you covered. Just make sure you have your official team jersey ready for when this year's Copa America begins in mid-June.
Argentina: Champions, Runners-Up, and Consummate Contenders
Previously known as the South American Championship, but renamed in 1975, the Copa America will mark its 44th event this year. Argentina won the title 12 times when the competition was called the South American Championship, and twice since it was rebranded to the Copa America.
Those stats make the White and Sky Blues the second most successful nation in the history of the event, 
right behind Uruguay. The Uruguayan side has claimed 15 titles overall, including four since the Copa America was officially launched in the 70s. Uruguay are also the defending champions, having won the event in 2011.
Argentina's best years at the Copa America in recent memory were in the late 1980s and early 1990s. When the tournament was renamed in 1975, the White and Sky Blues hadn't won since 1959. They had little success in the first years of the Copa either, exiting after the group stage in 1975, 1979, and 1983.
In 1987, though, things started to change for the team. Hosting the event for the first time since their 1959 victory, Argentina fought their way through the groups and knockouts to reach the semifinals. They were ultimately eliminated in the semis by Uruguay, and had to settle for fourth place while the Uruguayans went on to win the entire competition. Still, that year showed signs of life for the Argentina soccer squad and pointed toward better things to come.
Those "better things" happened over the course of the next three America cup events. In 1989, the wearers of the Argentina football jersey finished in third place. And in both 1991 and 1993, they ended up as champions, beating Brazil and Mexico (respectively) to end their Copa America draught.
Chasing a Return to the Top
Ever since those back to back wins, the White and Sky Blues have been consistent contenders at the Copa America, but haven't returned to the top of the podium. In 1995, 1997, and 1999, they bowed out during the quarterfinals, while both 2004 and 2007 saw the team reaching the finals only to lose the championship match.
2011 seemed like the perfect opportunity to Argentina to win the Copa America once more. Not only were they coming off two runner-up finishes in a row at the tournament, but they were also hosting the event. Add the fact that Lionel Messi had just won his first Ballon d'Or Player of the Year Award, for his exemplary performance in 2010, and the White and Sky Blues seemed like natural frontrunners. Instead, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Uruguay, who once again went on to win the title in front of Argentine audiences.
As a result, Argentina have remarkably never won the Copa America during Lionel Messi's career. Could 2015 finally be the year that the oft proclaimed best player in the world finally corrects that fact and leads the White and Sky Blues to a title? We can't wait to find out this summer!
So now that we understand the Copa America history for Argentina, get ready for all the 2015 Copa America action, with a new Argentina Adidas jersey from Soccer Box. We have both the Argentina home jersey and away shirt in stock right now, so make sure to get yours soon! You can also follow us on social media, whether to keep up on tournament action or to watch for football merchandise discounts! Our networks include Twitter, Instagram and more!
