Lionel Messi and Argentina train in Brazil before Copa America opener against Colombia - in pictures

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates completed their final training session before they begin their Copa America challenge on Thursday night in Brazil. The squad, managed by Lionel Scaloni, were put through their paces in Salvador at the Itaipava Arena Font Nova where they will play Colombia in their first Group B game. Messi, the side's captain, was at the centre of the action as he spoke with teammates throughout the session as well as showing his repertoire of skills. Argentina have not won the tournament since 1993 and this will be Messi's fifth attempt at trying to get a winners' medal. Three of the four Copa Americas involving Messi have seen Argentina fall short. They lost to Brazil in 2007 and then on penalties in both 2015 and 2016 against Chile. Argentina's opening game with Colombia is on Saturday, but starts at 2am on Sunday UAE time. Their other games in Group B are against Paraguay on June 19 in Bela Horizonte and then against Qatar on June 23 in Porte Alegre.

Lionel Messi and Argentina train in Brazil before Copa America opener against Colombia - in pictures

The Barcelona striker and his teammates worked hard in a last session before the Group B game in Salvador