Having teamed up to devastating effect to win a historic treble for their club, Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar now find themselves on opposite ends in the quest for a fourth title of the year and continental supremacy in the 44th edition of the Copa America.
Argentina, led by Messi, and a Neymar-led Brazil, are the favourites going into this year’s South American football showpiece (kicking off on Friday morning live on SuperSport) and could meet in the semi-finals.
All Copa America matches will be broadcast live on SS3 HD and Maximo with repeats scheduled at prime times throughout the day.
With decorated club careers but only a solitary Confederations Cup title to show in over 150 combined senior appearances for their countries, both players are desperate for international success. The Copa is the perfect platform to alleviate their angst.
Even though the two powerhouses, Argentina and Brazil, are favourites, the tournament can be unpredictable.
Four years ago Messi and Neymar were powerless in stopping a rampant Uruguay, led by Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan, romping to the title. Suarez and Forlan’s absence this year, due to suspension and retirement, might see La Celeste struggling to defend their title. If they are to successfully defend it, Edinson Cavani will have to fulfil his massive potential.
Home comforts and a strong and balanced squad which boasts of Claudio Bravo, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez, could see Chile finally shedding the bridesmaid tag, having finished as runners-up four times.
Broadcast details – All Times CAT
Friday, June 12
Chile v Ecuador
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Saturday, June 13
Mexico v Bolivia
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Uruguay v Jamaica
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (9pm)
Argentina v Paraguay
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (11.30pm)
Sunday, June 14
Colombia v Venezuela
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (9pm)
Brazil v Peru
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (11.30pm)
Monday, June 15
Ecuador v Bolivia
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (11pm)
Tuesday, June 16
Chile v Mexico
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Paraguay v Jamaica
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (11pm)
Wednesday, June 17
Argentina v Uruguay
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Thursday, June 18
Brazil v Colombia
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Friday, June 19
Peru v Venezuela
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Mexico v Ecuador
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (11pm)
Saturday, June 20
Chile v Bolivia
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Uruguay v Paraguay
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (9pm)
Argentina v Jamaica
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (11.30pm)
Sunday, June 21
Colombia v Peru
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (9pm)
Brazil v Venezuela
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (11.30pm)
Thursday, June 25
Quarterfinal
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Friday, June 26
Quarterfinal
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Saturday, June 27
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Sunday, June 28
Quarterfinal
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Tuesday, June 30
Semi-final
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Wednesday, July 1
Semi-final
Saturday, July 4
3rd/4th Place Playoff
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (01.30am)
Final
SS3/SS3A/SS3N/Max1 (10pm)
All Times CAT