Brazil Coach Dorival Junior Aims for Consistency to Achieve Copa America Success 

Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
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Brazil Coach Dorival Junior Aims for Consistency to Achieve Copa America Success 

Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)

Brazil coach Dorival Junior has identified balance and consistency as the keys to success ahead of Monday's Copa America opener against Costa Rica.

Dorival, who took over in January and has only coached four games, admitted that the Brazilian squad still lacked on-field stability, which he said was natural given their short time together.

"I have to find a balance for a team that was put together only three months ago, and after a certain period of 15 or 20 days of work they have to find themselves again," he said at a press conference on Sunday.

"In football you don't skip preparation phases in training, but that's why we try to accelerate each one of them to have a consistent and confident squad that can then use the individuality of its players to create opportunities."

The coach announced a starting line-up that included two new faces, Real Madrid center back Eder Militao and Atletico Mineiro full back Guilherme Arana.

"The starting line-up will have Militao and Arana. In every game, if necessary, there will be one or two changes. All the players are ready. None of them are below our expectations. We are prepared for any situation," the coach added.

New Real Madrid signing Endrick will not start against Costa Rica and is expected to come on in the second half, as Dorival called for "a bit of patience" with the 17-year-old striker.

"It's something that will happen naturally. It might not take long because he is extremely skillful. I'm in a hurry to get him on the pitch, but you have to have a certain balance. He has excellent skills and is one of the most promising players."

Brazil will also face Colombia and Paraguay in Group D.



Messi Named in List of Argentina Probables for June Fixtures 

Inter Miami midfielder Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball between San Jose Earthquakes defenders Dave Romney, left, and Max Floriani during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP)
Inter Miami midfielder Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball between San Jose Earthquakes defenders Dave Romney, left, and Max Floriani during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP)
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Messi Named in List of Argentina Probables for June Fixtures 

Inter Miami midfielder Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball between San Jose Earthquakes defenders Dave Romney, left, and Max Floriani during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP)
Inter Miami midfielder Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball between San Jose Earthquakes defenders Dave Romney, left, and Max Floriani during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP)

Forward Lionel Messi was named in Argentina's 28-player preliminary squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, after an injury forced him to miss the fixtures against Uruguay and Brazil in March.

Defending champions Argentina, who are set to play Chile and Colombia in June, have already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup in Messi's absence following a 1-0 win over Uruguay in March, before thrashing rivals Brazil 4-1.

“It’s a shame to miss these two very special matches with the national team against Uruguay and Brazil," Messi wrote in an Instagram story after he was forced to withdraw with a groin strain.

“As always, I wanted to be there, but at the last moment, a not-so-serious injury that forces me to rest for a while before returning to play kept me out.”

Messi returned to action for Inter Miami later in the month and has scored six goals in all competitions for the club since then.

The 37-year-old is also set to play in the Club World Cup, where Miami kick off their campaign on June 14, four days after Argentina play Colombia.

Coach Lionel Scaloni has also included Nottingham Forest midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, who last appeared for Argentina in 2021.

Defender Valentin Barco and attacker Valentin Castellanos, who have not played for Argentina since last year, have also been named in the list.

ARGENTINA PRELIMINARY SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille) and Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven).

Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (RC Lens), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais) and Valentin Barco (Strasbourg).

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham Forest), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico), Thiago Almada (Lyon), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) and Nicolas Paz (Como).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Atletico), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico) and Angel Correa (Atletico).