体坛英语新闻：Messi celebrates 100 int'l matches with Argentina

SANTIAGO, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The true protagonist of Saturday's Argentina vs Jamaica Copa America 2015 match in Chile will be Lionel Messi as he celebrates his 100th cap with Argentina.

The player who still hasn't turned 28 will be the youngest player to ever reach such a figure in the history of the South American team.

The Argentine player, who will turn 28 on June 24, continues breaking records and this period of football has even began to be known as "Messi's century", according to Spanish sports daily Marca.

Fellow Argentinians Javier Zanetti reached 144 international matches in his career followed by Mascherano who currently holds 113 caps at 30 years-old said the sports daily.

All this suggests that the Barcelona star will overtake both Zanetti and Mascherano's caps.

The mythical 100-mark was also beaten by Cholo Simeone (104) and Roberto Ayala (114).

Everyone is expecting Argentina to beat Jamaica in the final match of the Copa America 2015 group stages. A win would warrant a double celebration from Messi to mark his centenary playing for his national team and and also with a win Argentina will pass to the quarter finals of the tournament.

The Argentinian forward has won every title available at club level with Barcelona but he still hasn't won a World Cup with his national team.

Messi is competing for the third time in the Copa America and has also played in the Word Cup the same amount of times according to Marca.

"In these 100 matches I have had the opportunity to live some incredible, very beautiful experiences. Unforgettable. I have experienced situations that have allowed me to grow as a player but unfortunately no title," said Messi about his 100 caps during an interview with the Spanish newspaper.

"I hope that these 100 matches will come with one (a title)," added the Barecelona forward. Although Messi has won Olympic and Youth medals with the South American side, Argentina haven't won a title since the Copa America 1993 which was 22 years ago.