Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is hopeful for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=lionel+messi">Lionel Messi</a>'s possible return to international football after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/hosts-brazil-face-peru-venezuela-bolivia-in-copa-america-192703">Copa America 2019</a> group draw at Cidade das Artes in Rio de Janeiro.&nbsp;

Messi took a sabbatical from the national side after disappointing World Cup and now Argentina are desperate to end a trophy drought that dates back to 1993 when they last won the Copa America.&nbsp;

Messi has not said whether he will return for the Copa America in Brazil in June but the interim coach said at the draw that he was hopeful the inspiring forward might return for a March friendly.&nbsp;

"Well, for now, obviously, he hasn't been here. I can't be thinking about something that we don't know how it will go. Like I said in my last interview, hopefully, he could be," Argentina coach Scaloni commented on Messi's return.&nbsp;

Scaloni added, "I will have a chat with him before giving the final list of players, talk to him. We have good feelings."&nbsp;

The draw gave Argentina the toughest path of the top-seeded teams as it was placed in a group with Colombia, Paraguay and guest nation Qatar.&nbsp;

"Uruguay's group (C) is not easy as well. If you take a look, Chile is a tough opponent. I believe you will always look for a 'but' if something happens," said Scaloni.&nbsp;

"Honestly, it is a complicated competition, to play in South America is complicated and it's not worthy to look behind. May the future bring positive things," he added.&nbsp;

The top two teams in each group, plus the two best third-place finishers, qualify for the quarterfinals.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is hopeful for Lionel Messi's possible return to international football after the Copa America 2019 group draw at Cidade das Artes in Rio de Janeiro.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is hopeful for Lionel Messi's possible return to international football after the Copa America 2019 group draw at Cidade das Artes in Rio de Janeiro. Messi took a sabbatical from the national side after disappointing World Cup and now Argentina are desperate to end a trophy drought that dates back to 1993 when they last won the Copa America. Messi has not said whether he will return for the Copa America in Brazil in June but the interim coach said at the draw that he was hopeful the inspiring forward might return for a March friendly. "Well, for now, obviously, he hasn't been here. I can't be thinking about something that we don't know how it will go. Like I said in my last interview, hopefully, he could be," Argentina coach Scaloni commented on Messi's return. Scaloni added, "I will have a chat with him before giving the final list of players, talk to him. We have good feelings." The draw gave Argentina the toughest path of the top-seeded teams as it was placed in a group with Colombia, Paraguay and guest nation Qatar. "Uruguay's group (C) is not easy as well. If you take a look, Chile is a tough opponent. I believe you will always look for a 'but' if something happens," said Scaloni. "Honestly, it is a complicated competition, to play in South America is complicated and it's not worthy to look behind. May the future bring positive things," he added. The top two teams in each group, plus the two best third-place finishers, qualify for the quarterfinals.

'Hope Messi can play in Copa America,' says Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/hosts-brazil-face-peru-venezuela-bolivia-in-copa-america-192703">2019 Copa America</a> will kick off with Brazil against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14 and take place in five Brazilian cities.&nbsp;

Brazilian coach Tite is worried about Neymar, who&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/foot-injury-makes-neymar-a-doubt-for-champions-league-clash-192423">injured a metatarsal</a> in his right foot during their 2-0 French Cup win over Strasbourg on January 23 which was confirmed by the club Paris St Germain.&nbsp;

The 26-year-old left the pitch after twisting his foot and the club said initial examinations revealed a "reactivation of the lesion of the fifth right metatarsal", adding that treatment would depend on how the injury heals in the next few days.&nbsp;

Coach Tite said, "Of course it [injury] worries me because of Neymar's greatness, because of the health of a great athlete, because of the way it happened."

"I have the same information that you do: It will take 3 days to see the real extension of the damage, the recovery process, how he reacts. We hope everything is fine, Tite added."

The Brazilian had fractured the same metatarsal last February and required surgery that effectively ended his club campaign. He returned to action in May, in time for the World Cup in Russia.

Brazil have not won Copa America since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil.&nbsp;

However, host Brazil was drawn in a relatively easy group for this year's tournament, where it will face Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru.&nbsp;

"Bolivia and Venezuela are not well ranked, they ended in 9th and 10th (at last World Cup Qualifiers). Theoretically, they are not at the same level of Peru. But that doesn't mean that they will make our lives easier on the pitch," said Tite.&nbsp;

Neymar is doubtful for next month's Champions League clash against Manchester United.&nbsp;

The 2019 Copa America will kick off with Brazil against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14 and take place in five Brazilian cities. Brazilian coach Tite is worried about Neymar, who injured a metatarsal in his right foot during their 2-0 French Cup win over Strasbourg on January 23 which was confirmed by the club Paris St Germain.

The 2019 Copa America will kick off with Brazil against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14 and take place in five Brazilian cities. Brazilian coach Tite is worried about Neymar, who injured a metatarsal in his right foot during their 2-0 French Cup win over Strasbourg on January 23 which was confirmed by the club Paris St Germain. The 26-year-old left the pitch after twisting his foot and the club said initial examinations revealed a "reactivation of the lesion of the fifth right metatarsal", adding that treatment would depend on how the injury heals in the next few days. Coach Tite said, "Of course it [injury] worries me because of Neymar's greatness, because of the health of a great athlete, because of the way it happened." "I have the same information that you do: It will take 3 days to see the real extension of the damage, the recovery process, how he reacts. We hope everything is fine, Tite added." The Brazilian had fractured the same metatarsal last February and required surgery that effectively ended his club campaign. He returned to action in May, in time for the World Cup in Russia. Brazil have not won Copa America since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil. However, host Brazil was drawn in a relatively easy group for this year's tournament, where it will face Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru. "Bolivia and Venezuela are not well ranked, they ended in 9th and 10th (at last World Cup Qualifiers). Theoretically, they are not at the same level of Peru. But that doesn't mean that they will make our lives easier on the pitch," said Tite. Neymar is doubtful for next month's Champions League clash against Manchester United.

Neymar's injury concerns Brazilian coach Tite

Hosts Brazil were given a kind draw and will face Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in the 2019 Copa America, a tournament they have not won since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil.

Thursday's draw also placed Argentina, another side desperate for a major title after an even longer trophy drought, with Colombia, Paraguay and invited team Qatar.

The third of the three top seeds Uruguay are in perhaps the most difficult Group C, along with the other invited side Japan, plus Ecuador and reigning champions Chile.

This year's tournament will kick off with Brazil against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14 and take place in five Brazilian cities. The final is at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on July 7.

"People have questioned me about the draw and some said, it's easy, others said, be careful," Brazil coach Tite said. "Our responsibility is to perform at the highest level, to play with joy and to be proud of representing Brazil."

"We need to play really well, and that's how you become champions."

The draw at a cavernous Rio concert hall was led by former Brazil captain Cafu and aided by soccer luminaries like former Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti, Uruguayan Diego Lugano and six times FIFA Player of the year Marta.

It marked the starting gun for what promises to be a high pressure year for both Brazil and Argentina.

The host nation have not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in 2007 and coach Tite, whose side were knocked out the World Cup at the quarter-final stage last year, is under pressure to deliver some silverware.

Argentina, meanwhile, have reached the last two finals of the Copa America and lost both times on penalties. Another loss would extend a trophy drought that stretches back to 1993.

The two-times World Cup winners will come to the tournament with Lionel Scaloni in charge and although the interim coach, who has a contract until after the Copa, would not be drawn on his rivals he said his aim was to triumph.

"It's going to be difficult and no matter who we play we have to win," he told reporters. "The idea is that we are as good as anyone; we just need to keep notching up the victories."

They could also be without Lionel Messi. The Barcelona forward took a sabbatical from international soccer after a disappointing World Cup in Russia and has not said whether he will return to play in Brazil.

The Copa America is the oldest international tournament in the world and is played between the 10 South American nations and invited teams.

In addition to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, matches will be held in Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte and Salvador.

"Undoubtedly, there is always a great respect and admiration for Brazil's footballing culture," said Chilean coach Reinaldo Rueda.

"I think that will guarantee a great tournament."

Hosts Brazil were given a kind draw and will face Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in the 2019 Copa America, a tournament they have not won since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil.

Hosts Brazil were given a kind draw and will face Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in the 2019 Copa America, a tournament they have not won since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil. Thursday's draw also placed Argentina, another side desperate for a major title after an even longer trophy drought, with Colombia, Paraguay and invited team Qatar. The third of the three top seeds Uruguay are in perhaps the most difficult Group C, along with the other invited side Japan, plus Ecuador and reigning champions Chile. This year's tournament will kick off with Brazil against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14 and take place in five Brazilian cities. The final is at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on July 7. "People have questioned me about the draw and some said, it's easy, others said, be careful," Brazil coach Tite said. "Our responsibility is to perform at the highest level, to play with joy and to be proud of representing Brazil." "We need to play really well, and that's how you become champions." The draw at a cavernous Rio concert hall was led by former Brazil captain Cafu and aided by soccer luminaries like former Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti, Uruguayan Diego Lugano and six times FIFA Player of the year Marta. It marked the starting gun for what promises to be a high pressure year for both Brazil and Argentina. The host nation have not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in 2007 and coach Tite, whose side were knocked out the World Cup at the quarter-final stage last year, is under pressure to deliver some silverware. Argentina, meanwhile, have reached the last two finals of the Copa America and lost both times on penalties. Another loss would extend a trophy drought that stretches back to 1993. The two-times World Cup winners will come to the tournament with Lionel Scaloni in charge and although the interim coach, who has a contract until after the Copa, would not be drawn on his rivals he said his aim was to triumph. "It's going to be difficult and no matter who we play we have to win," he told reporters. "The idea is that we are as good as anyone; we just need to keep notching up the victories." They could also be without Lionel Messi. The Barcelona forward took a sabbatical from international soccer after a disappointing World Cup in Russia and has not said whether he will return to play in Brazil. The Copa America is the oldest international tournament in the world and is played between the 10 South American nations and invited teams. In addition to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, matches will be held in Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte and Salvador. "Undoubtedly, there is always a great respect and admiration for Brazil's footballing culture," said Chilean coach Reinaldo Rueda. "I think that will guarantee a great tournament."

Hosts Brazil face Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia in Copa America

Argentina have asked interim coach Lionel Scaloni to stay in charge of the team until next year's Copa America, the head of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Thursday.

Scaloni, who was appointed to succeed Jorge Sampaoli after a disappointing World Cup in Russia where the South Americans win only one game and were knocked out in last 16 by France, has not formally responded to the offer but is expected to accept.

"We've seen Scaloni's work and as a result we are offering him the chance to continue until the Copa America," AFA president Claudio Tapia told reporters.

"The project is evolving and the national team is gaining an identity and that's what we want."

The Copa America takes place in Brazil next June and July and after losing the last two finals of the competition on penalties Argentina will be looking to win their first major title since they lifted the same trophy in 1993.

Although he has little experience as a top coach, the 40-year-old Scaloni has lost only one of his six friendlies in charge, a 1-0 reverse against Brazil in Saudi Arabia.

Argentina conceded only one goal in the six games, winning four and drawing one.

Argentina have asked interim coach Lionel Scaloni to stay in charge of the team until next year's Copa America, the head of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Thursday.

Argentina have asked interim coach Lionel Scaloni to stay in charge of the team until next year's Copa America, the head of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Thursday. Scaloni, who was appointed to succeed Jorge Sampaoli after a disappointing World Cup in Russia where the South Americans win only one game and were knocked out in last 16 by France, has not formally responded to the offer but is expected to accept. "We've seen Scaloni's work and as a result we are offering him the chance to continue until the Copa America," AFA president Claudio Tapia told reporters. "The project is evolving and the national team is gaining an identity and that's what we want." The Copa America takes place in Brazil next June and July and after losing the last two finals of the competition on penalties Argentina will be looking to win their first major title since they lifted the same trophy in 1993. Although he has little experience as a top coach, the 40-year-old Scaloni has lost only one of his six friendlies in charge, a 1-0 reverse against Brazil in Saudi Arabia. Argentina conceded only one goal in the six games, winning four and drawing one.

Argentina ask coach Lionel Scaloni to stay for 2019 Copa America