How were the last Argentina vs. Colombia duels with Messi and James Rodríguez?

Lionel Messi and James Rodríguez are set to face each other once again, this time in the unprecedented Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. And this game has all the makings of one for the history books!

Let's start with the obvious: Messi is Messi, right? The guy has won everything possible with Argentina, from the World Cup to the Ballon d'Or. He's that player who makes a difference with the ball at his feet, a true maestro on the field. But in this Copa America, the Argentine star is a bit dim. Messi has scored just one goal and is also dealing with physical issues that seem to be limiting his performance. You can feel that he's not at his best, but anyone who knows soccer knows you can never underestimate the little guy.

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On the other side, we have James Rodríguez, who is having a brilliant moment in the tournament. The Colombian has already distributed six assists, a feat only Pelé and Alex have achieved in South American competitions since 1970. James is on fire, and his performance against Uruguay in the semifinal was a sight to behold. He's seeking a title that could perhaps place him among Colombia's greats. He's that player who, even being on a "different shelf" in world soccer compared to Messi, is doing great and proving his worth.

The history between these two stars is interesting. They have faced each other eight times, whether for national teams or clubs, and Messi has the advantage with four wins. James has two triumphs, including a memorable victory for Colombia in the 2019 Copa America. In terms of goals, Messi is also ahead with four, compared to just one for James.

The list of encounters between Messi and James is a true stroll down soccer memory lane. From the World Cup qualifiers in 2011, through epic duels in El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, to fierce battles in the Copa America.

It's undeniable that Messi, even not at his best, is a player who can change the course of a match in the blink of an eye. His talent, vision, and skill with the ball are unmatched. But James, with his grit, determination, and that refined touch that only great midfielders have, is more than ready to face any challenge. And that's what makes this duel so fascinating.

Now, talking a bit about the future, imagine if James manages to lead Colombia to the Copa America title. It would be a historic milestone, a feat that would put his name in the history books of Colombian soccer. And Messi? Well, he remains the king but needs to prove, once again, that he still has what it takes to be decisive when it matters most.

And you, what do you think? Will Messi bounce back and show why he's considered one of the best of all time? Or will James continue his meteoric rise and write his name in Colombia's history?

Here's the list of all the encounters between Messi and James Rodríguez

Colombia 1 x 2 Argentina - World Cup qualifiers - 2011

Argentina 0 x 0 Colombia - World Cup qualifiers - 2013

Real Madrid 3 x 1 Barcelona - LALIGA - 2014

Argentina 0 (5) x (4) 0 Colombia - Copa America - 2015

Real Madrid 0 x 4 Barcelona - LALIGA - 2015

Argentina 3 x 0 Colombia - World Cup qualifiers - 2016

Real Madrid 2 x 3 Barcelona - LALIGA - 2017

Argentina 0 x 2 Colombia - Copa America - 2019