Copa AmericaThird Final In Three Years: Messi Nears Overtaking Pele And Maradona

Following a 4-0 victory over the host United States, Argentina are preparing for a Copa America final which takes Lionel Messi just a step closer to overtaking both Pele and Diego Maradona. The 2015 edition of the tournament was heartbreaking for the Argentinean side after they lost in the final to Chile, and La Roja will be their opponents once again as Messi & CO look to exact revenge in New Jersey.

Barcelona's forward has never won a major tournament at international level and it is a failing that haunts the 28-year-old.

The last two summers have seen him pick up a runners-up medal in two different tournaments and he appears on a mission to avoid a dreaded hat-trick.

Neither Pele nor Maradona have ever lifted the Copa America and here lies the opportunity for Messi to truly stake his claim to the best ever mantle.

The Ballon D'Or holder has enjoyed a wonderful tournament and already has five goals, just one behind the top scorer Eduardo Vargas, despite a lack of playing time the first few games due to injury.

Records continue to tumble for the diminutive playmaker with his fantastic strike against the United States in the semi-final officially making him the nation's top goalscorer with 55.

Both Maradona and Pele's respective failures to win the Copa America are puzzling, especially considering the former Argentine star has played in three editions of the competition.

The former Napoli midfielder played in 1979, 1987 and 1989 and couldn't win a single one of the competitions.

Pele only ever participated in one Copa America and this came in 1959 with his Brazilian team finishing second, one point behind Argentina.