#And alejandro needs to exorcise him

[bistic]

Day 6; Any horror game AU / Classic horror movie

Faith: The Unholy Trinity

@total-drama-horror-week

[callsign-bunnie]

I now desperately need to know all the things Alejandro has done for the bit, or 20 bucks.

Oh boy

--

Soap bet him he couldn't eat an entire box of donuts. He could not

Ghost bet him he wouldn't tell Valeria she was a bitch to her face (he would have done that without the money, but hey, twenty bucks is twenty bucks. She thought it was funny)

Wore gogo boots for an entire day

Talked like Scooby Doo for an entire day

Slapped Ghost's ass because Soap bet him he wouldn't. He says it was worth it, but Ghost almost killed him. Rudy's nerves said it wasn't

Yodelled. Just... yodelled

Did a back flip off of a truck

Discovered he could backflick by backflipping off a truck. Rodolfo found new limits to his nerves

Learned how to speak with a texas accent from Alex to fuck with Graves

Learned how to speak with a scottish accent from Soap to fuck with Ghost

Learned scots to fuck with Ghost

Recorded Ghost speaking and learned a manchester accent to fuck with Ghost

He and Soap dressed like Daphne and Velma

This was more because he made a different bet and lost but called Rudy and said "what's for dinner bitch" (Yes, I will reference my own post)

Has four separate stupid tattoos from bets

Was going to get Rodolfo's hand prints on tattooed on his chest, Rudy yelled at him for it and said no. He still mopes about it

Has attempted to exorcise a demon with Soap. Still unsure if it worked or not

[rosemaryblossoms]

Tiffany loves you Au

I was inspired to make this au by seeing the John loves you au by @zzoupz and @salmonandsoup

Drawings of character’s appearance will come soon, also Tiffany is in her early thirties in this au and Amy is 27 years old in this Au. The Martin twins are alive.

John ward: he takes the place of Amy, instead of working as a priest he works at the clinic like Amy did, he wears a Turtleneck Sweater with angel sleeves and black bell bottoms with boots. His face is gone due to the ritual. He is Tiffany’s favorite.

Father Garcia: takes the place of Father Allred, he wears a blue stole with a purple cross on each side of it at the bottom over his priest uniform, he aids Amy in John’s Exorcism, still smokes cigars, poor Father Garcia fly high 😔🕊️

Amy Martin: Is a nun who helps with John’s exorcism, she is trying to save her siblings from being sacrificed by Tiffany, is friends with Michael, poor baby needs therapy. Like she needs a hug really bad, give her one. She gets a fuck you from Tiffany. She also wears gold cross earrings to match her crucifix. Her finger nails are painted black but in a certain light it looks blue.

Father Allred: takes the place of Father Garcia, smokes tobacco pipes, he helps Amy the rest of the way and aids her from the wrath of Tiffany, He tries to exorcise Lisa and John’s brother (you’ll learn more when you scroll to his description) but fails. he wears a purple crucifix necklace, he also has a stubble. Haha rifle go pew pew.

Michael Davies: he doesn’t swap roles with anybody. Instead of being a demon he’s an angel, he is friends with Amy and follows her to aid her at every beck and call when she needs his help, he also gives her courage and positive affirmations. basically a more friendlier version of the mirror demon. Though the mirror demon still lurks around but Michael basically says fuck you to him and shoos him off.

Lisa Pearson: is one of the characters that takes the role of Michael (haha two crack headed goblin demons 😂, Michael is honestly one of my favorite characters in Faith) basically the same demon as Michael but yellow and has hair, she also has antlers. she wears her hair up in a ponytail which has a few twigs and leaves in it, She skedaddles around with John’s brother Gabriel around the area, fly high Lisa 😔🕊️( a gun with one bullet and truck-kun). Crazy fun fact her, Gabriel, and Gary are basically nude due to their demon transformations.

Gabriel Ward: is my oc I put in to go with the story line. He is the other character to take the role of Michael. The same demon as Michael but indigo and has short fluffy hair. He’s the one who jumps Amy in the garage before she scares him of with a crucifix. He was the twin brother of John Ward, their parents are divorced and his father took him while their mother takes John, he is angry at his father for taking away his brother because his brother was his best friend but misses his dad still because he was taken by Father Alfred to do a exorcism on him.

Miriam Bell: she takes the place of Lisa, she’s a retired nun who loves to bake cookies, wears a black turtleneck sweater and a long red skirt with a gold cross necklace. She used to have a close bond with her son but that changed when he grew up and met Tiffany, she misses the sweet guy her son used to be.

Gary Miller: Takes the place of Tiffany, he loves her and he is envious of John, like he hates him. Calls John a manwhore often, he willingly did the ritual and became THE SON OF THE UNSPEAKABLE.

The twins: basically the same but I gave them a different appearance, Nate has short hair while Jason’s hair is a bit longer

Cop: basically the same

Alejandro Kruger: my oc I used for the story line. is the ex husband of Amy, basically taking the role of Molly. He is still her friend but lives far away. He has cancer. He still loves her and would try their relationship again.

Tiffany Robinson: cult leader, basically takes the role of Gary. Has a stitched up scars, one each side of her mouth and a scar on her neck, Had an upside down cross carved on her head as well as small scars on her left eye (her left not yours), SWARM OF SCORPIONS. She doesn’t love Amy. Wears thick high heel boots underneath her cloak. Always carries her ritual knife besides her trident and whip of spikes. In her final form her face splits like the demigorgon from stranger things and grows to 7’0 ft tall.

[nadiecomoyo]

Fortune Favors The Bold

Prologue

Before visiting Yuta, Gojo travels to America to see a group of skilled individuals. Once there he gives them the task to seek out cases where curses are out of the norm, in hopes to find more of Sukuna’s fingers. All four of them scramble across Japan with one goal in mind: find as many fingers as possible to feed to the new vessel before his execution takes place.

Song Inspirations: La Casita, The Plan, Leave The Door Open

WK: 3.5k

A/N: Hi! This is my first story. It’s more for my entertainment but if people like this then great. Basically Gojo meeting the gang and what not. Enjoy!

“Would your table like to start off with an appetizer while the last person in your party arrives?” the waitress asked, making her round yet again to the table for a third time that night. The pristine white table cloth maintaining the same cleanliness since their arrival. The only indication of the table being used are the four empty glasses littering the table. The exact table currently holding four people who remained silent as sharp glares descend on the vacant seat. The three men and one female all looked like they wanted to be somewhere else, the waitress noted that none of the guests have ordered food, only drinks.

Angel sighed, seeing the lack of initiative from the others, and decided to answer the patient waitress. “No thank you, we’ll order once he arrives. But can you get us four,” turning his head to see Nicole motioning to her glass, “I mean three glasses of Aviation and one glass of water.” The waitress jotted down the request and promptly left.

The lavish Gabriel Kreuther restaurant became alive at night: people chattering, plates and utensils clicking, instruments playing, yet their table did not have an ounce of sound. Unbeknown to the waitress and the people around them, the four were conversating in their minds.

[Some invite this is], Alejandro flicked his wrist to the seat next to him.

[The guy is almost an hour late. I don’t care who he is I’m ditching this place once I finish my drink], Thomas sent an annoyed look to the group. Alejandro hummed in agreement.

[Come on guys, it must be serious if he contacted us], Angel pleads to the other three at the table.

[It’s concerning how he found us. The barrier I generate around us clouds our remnants. The inevitable trails we leave behind should not be enough to trace us ba-]

[-Must be his Six Eyes!] Thomas’ eyes widened at his not-so-genius epiphany.

His internal excitement reached his body, their mental conversation did not help the incoming waitress with their drinks, who has not seen much of a reaction from the guests since they have arrived. She did not expect Thomas’ action and almost dropped the tray onto the floor. A quick apology towards the waitress and a mild smack on Thomas’ head from Nicole amended the almost tragedy.

[As I was saying], Nicole specifically looking at Thomas, [I’m just glad we’re here and not back home. I never want to be in the same room with him and my grandfather.]

[The bastard may finally have a heart attack], Alejandro snickering at the thought of the resigned clan leader kicking the bucket, [Either way being caught between a rock and a hard place sucks.]

Everyone was thinking the same thing since their special, late, guest invited them to the sought-after restaurant overviewing the New York skyline. They all did not like this encounter one bit. All four of them were uncomfortably realizing their present reality. Exorcising in the shadows for so long, while going against their respective clan’s wishes, they preferred no one knew about their prohibited activities. The confrontation by a certain sorcerer clearly irked them, especially Nicole.

[Those eyes of his annoy me beyond imagina-]

Nicole halted her sentence as all four of them sensed an overwhelming presence of cursed energy. Being seated in the middle of the room, it gave them access to seeing the entrance door. An overly tall white-haired man sporting black sunglasses entered the main dining room floor. He exchanged words with the host, who pointed to the reserved table under his name, and began to walk towards them.

“Look who finally arrived,” Angel’s sarcastic comment rang a bit too loud causing a few people at the other tables to glance at him.

Nicole quickly investigated the special guest’s mind.

[Oh, I am so late. But that chocolate pizza really hit the spot. I need to buy one for Yuta before I leave.]

Disappointed with the revelation, she retracted from his mind. Nicole begrudgingly sent him a smile as he sat down at the table acting as if he was not late by one hour.

“Sorry for the delay, traffic here is terrible amiright?” flashing a bright smile towards the four at the table, “My name is Sa-,”

“We know who you are. Can you get on with the point of this dinner? Your timing is immaculate, has anyone told you that?" Thomas interrupted Gojo, sending him the same bright smile back. Gojo seemed to expect that type of response and brushed his teasing comment.

“I knew I made the right choice with you all,” Gojo slouched on his chair and pointed at Nicole, “You made it a difficult task in trying to find all four of you, I’m impressed, but better luck next time.”

His jab at her technique hardly offended her. Unsurprising to her, it offended the three other males. Before the lot opened their mouths, she sent them a reassuring nod before speaking on her behalf.

“Now that I am familiar with your mind, I will sense your presence the second you come into the country again. I will make sure that you will never find us again,” [nor our clans] she thought, while staring into the black abyss of his sunglasses.

“Don’t stay away too far, I’ll miss you,” His shameless flirting earned him scoffs from Alejandro and Thomas.

[This guy, I swear] / [Gross], both men expressed their distaste.

“Are you going to tell us what this dinner is for? Certainly not to get to know us. You clearly have knowledge of us, it got you this far,” disgusted by his remark, Nicole wanted this dinner to end as soon as possible.

“Well to keep this as simple as possible, we recently found a suitable vessel for Sukuna’s fingers. The vessel’s control over the curse is immeasurable. I have never seen a vessel like Yuji Itadori, quite frightening. Fortunately, his execution is delayed by yours truly,” motioning to himself, “I see this as an opportunity to destroy all the fingers. It would be a waste to kill him, right? However, Jujutsu Tech only has a few of the fingers.”

Gojo leans towards the table assessing the table, looking at each person one by one. Not one ounce of interest shown on their faces. On the contrary, their minds were racing with the oh-so-simple explanation given by Gojo. The bomb of information he dropped on them almost short-circuited their minds.

[What the hell? What in the actual hell?]

[Suitable vessel?]

[Yuji who?]

The loud thoughts from the guys started to bother Nicole. Hushing them, they all turned to say sorry. The white-haired sorcerer smirked, “This is where you four come in. I need your help in locating as many fingers as possible.”

“That means he ate a finger and has the capability to consume more without any complications?” Angel questioned in disbelief.

“Mhm!” Gojo nodded in excitement, at least someone is curious. Gojo feels confident in his recruitment skills, all he needs in a breakthrough.

[Hold up, I need food to process this.]

Thomas stood up from his seat. His face held something in between of a constipated/happy look. He spotted their designated waitress, beckoning her to come to the table.

“Sit down,” Nicole pulled him back into his seat.

“Excuse me ma’am, can I get the pork chops drizzled in wine sauce with a side of potatoes and greens?” The surprised waitress wrote down Thomas’ order and waiting patiently for the others. Not having any other option, the people seated at the table quickly ordered their desired plates, wanting the waitress to leave them alone.

The three besides Thomas, who was enjoying Alejandro’s unfinished Aviation, began to think on why this pertained to them.

Alejandro was the first to talk, “that’s quite the task, I don’t know if we’re qualified to handle it,” letting a lie slip from his mouth. He wanted to test the waters with Gojo to see how much he truly knew about them. They never flaunt their techniques, something they learned at a young age, how can this guy know what they are capable of accomplishing?

Seeing through the lie, Gojo smirked. He knew these four individuals were capable enough to exorcise grade 1 curses, possibly special grades. Gojo heard rumors about an American group of jujutsu sorcerers who clear swarms of curses with ease. People who vanish as quick as they strike, never leaving a trace behind. With the help of his Six Eyes, the remnants of their cursed energy were enough to help him locate the group. The closer he got to them, the foggier his mind became. He relied heavily on his eyes to find the four sorcerers. Overall, that technique of hers is a tricky one. Gojo has an inkling that she has a trump card up her sleeve. The others? He has no clue what lies within them. His eyes are failing him yet again, the four people around the table do not radiate any levels of cursed energy. One would say he is having dinner with civilians. But if he squints his eyes hard enough, he can see a glimpse of their energies through the mental barrier in front of him.

“We both know you’re kidding,” Assertive in his statement, Gojo laid back, getting comfortable in his chair.

“Either way international affairs aren’t our thing,” Nicole chimed in.

Gojo shrugged at her comment, “Aiding your fellow jujutsu comrades? Saving the world? This may be overseas affairs however, you’re gonna feel the ripple sooner or later sweetheart. What are you going to do then?”

[Why should we help a country that did not even help ours to begin with?] Being in public, she could not do much but glare at him. Not like that did much to affect Gojo. He's used to being the bane of many people's existence.

“There should be other capable sorcerers, you didn’t have to come all the way over here?” the three nodded at Angel’s point. They all agreed with Nicole's response as well. Why help when the other side of the world turned a blind eye to them? Years of curses running freely through populated cities to small farm towns. The aid back then from Japan was non-existent.

“It would be easier for me to get help back in Japan, but I wanted to see if the rumors were true. And I am not disappointed.” The small praise from Gojo did boost the four’s ego. Getting some recognition from the strongest sorcerer felt nice for a second, until they remembered why he praised them. The bubble from his praise was popped, bringing them back to reality.

“If we chose to accept this task, we will get something out of this. No way in hell am I doing your work for free.” Alejandro crossing his arms continues, “I like saving the world as much as the next guy, but this will not be a one-sided transaction.”

“Alright then, what do you want?” intrigued by what his demands would be, Gojo shifting himself to look towards his right. Signaling to Alejandro that his attention is on him.

Alejandro glanced at Angel and Thomas, both who were already staring at him.

“Great question. We’ll let you know when we need a favor from the strongest sorcerer alive,” Alejandro stated, the three men wearing a smug smile.

“Idiots,” Nicole murmured.

“While we’re thinking on what you can do for us,’ Alejandro gesturing to the four, “stay away from our clans. Do not go near any member of our families.”

Gojo raised an eyebrow when he noticed how serious Alejandro became.

Thomas added on, “Our techniques were a bitch to train, but it had to be done. We trained during the nights growing up; it was the only time we were out of sight from our families. It got easier as we got older, more freedom to roam and do as we please. Hiding our exorcisms from them is not something we are proud of. But we know they would not approve of what we do. Not like they can do anything at this point.”

“But there’s something about disappointing our families that we can’t bear to see,” Angel received funny stares from the three besides Gojo.

“Ok mamas’ boy, save the sappiness for later,” sending Angel a playful wink, the group chuckled at Nicole’s side joke. Alejandro took the opportunity to ruffle his hair. Everyone getting some entertainment by messing around with Angel.

“No one knows what we do. Our clans have lost all hope in saving this country. Growing up we all saw our fair share of deaths caused by curses. Our people have let them roam around for so long. All four of us decided to do what our clans have given up on. So far, I believe we have made a difference and that is all that matters to us,” Nicole loudly sighed before continuing, “But just know I am fully against helping you for your cause. Years have passed here, and our situation only got better because of us. The only reason why I would help you is if they all agree. If not, count me out. Do not think just because your comfort zone is in danger that I will run to help. And I can proudly say that the other three all agree with what I am saying.” Nicole's animosity reached Gojo’s ears. The three men she mentioned did not say anything, but one look at their stern faces spoke louder than words.

“Fair enough, but what about the future? Why do we have to follow the same traditions or actions that they did? Alienating ourselves to protect our useless hierarchy instead of allying with our neighboring countries will greatly benefit us all. Let us show everyone that working together does make changes.” Gojo slid his glasses slightly. His sky-blue eyes peeking out from the black tinted glasses, startling the whole table. One can try to explain how it feels to be under the gaze of Gojo Satoru, but it can never measure up to the actual feeling. They knew he was serious about recruiting them for the task. No doubt about it.

[Man, this blows. He’s actually serious]

[Do we agree?]

[I heard in Japan the fruit is expensive. Should I sneak in a watermelon into the country?]

[His eyes are beautiful.]

“Well 'Mr. Motivational Speaker' you got your point across, now tell us about the task.” That last thought made the three men look at Nicole, she ignored them and focused on Gojo.

“One thing to know, there may be a chance that the fingers resonate. The other fingers may have reacted to the first finger being eaten by Yuji. The chance that it is already eaten up by a curse is highly likely. If you agree, I will give you four individual missions. Each location has had unusual curse activity, a finger can be the cause of the of activity. That is why I am sending each of you to investigate and retrieve the finger if it is there. I would go, but I need to deal with Yuji’s transition into Jujutsu Tech. He is still a kid. I want him to at least enjoy the remaining life he has. Remember his execution is postponed, he will be executed in the future. But before that happens, he needs to eat as many fingers as possible. He is our only way to eliminate those cursed fingers.” Gojo elucidated Yuji's importance in eliminating the indestructible cursed fingers.

“Say we agree, where would we go?” Angel asked the question the four were dying to know. None have ever ventured outside of their county. The thought of leaving America to Japan has them on edge for what is to come if they agree to the mission.

“Let me remember,” one finger tapping on his chin as Gojo tried to remember the important locations, “Nicole to Okinawa, Angel to Musutafu, Alejandro to Osaka, and Thomas to Shinganshina.”

Listening to their designated places did excite them. Spending their time exorcising curses throughout America, they have seen grotesque curses that makes anyone hurl to weak curses even a baby can kill. Given the chance to see other parts of the world, the group began to think hard about their decision. Each one hoping that their decision matches the others.

The silence after revealing the locations made Gojo rethink his method of persuasion, [Should have done this differently, maybe start a game consisting of each person saying what is great about Satoru Gojo!], he thought.

[How is that persuasive?], a feminine voice popped unexpectedly in Gojo’s mind. Ignoring the snark comment, he instead focuses on her presence. He feels her peering into his mind, it felt personal. Not intimately but comfortably, almost as if they were to be playing a game together. Not having much knowledge on her technique, curiosity got the best of him. And he intended to discover more about it.

[Is that so? Tell me how to persuade you], Gojo putting emphasize on the word ‘you’, wanting to continue this private conversation.

[Be truthful. What else is there to say but the truth? Everything else is a waste of a breath.], Nicole stared right into his blank glasses, seeing nothing but her reflection. Sighing from Gojo’s way of thinking, she observes her friends.

Seeing her friends in their own conversations, she returned her attention to Gojo. Rolling her eyes and said, [What is with the glasses? I know you can’t see through them.]

[Helps with my technique], feeling unsatisfied by his response she did not push any further. Seems like we aren’t the only ones cautious, she thought. Deep in thought, Nicole did not notice the group switching topics. Alejandro’s voice reeling her back into the conversation.

“Well why not? I want to see the curses over there. I’ll give them a run for their money,” Alejandro leaned back with his arms on the back of his head. head. Patiently waiting to see where this would go. His response gave Gojo hope as he looked for the other responses.

The three other sorcerers looked at each other. Each of them wondering whether they are making the right choice or not. But after seeing Alejandro’s determined face, they won’t allow him to go by himself. It is all four of them or nothing. No one gets left behind or stranded. They did not need Nicole’s technique to know what they were all thinking.

“We’re in,” all three of them agree to the task.

“Only because this will benefit us as well, don’t forget that Gojo,” she reiterated to the now overly happy sorcerer in front of her. Her negative tone did not match the small quirk on her face.

“Going to Japan huh? Who would have thought?” Angel’s left-hand brushing through his hair, “We have to be crazy from agreeing to this.”

“Extremely but what’s a jujutsu sorcerer without some craziness? Basically a requirement for the job.” Gojo reassured them. Briefly thinking of his students who attract themselves to danger, like moths to light.

“Hey where is ou-” Thomas got cut off by the tray of delicious food heading towards there table. The sight of their food was mouthwatering. The meats to the pastas, everything they asked for was cooked to perfection. The four silently thanking Gojo for inviting them to the restaurant.

As they all settled in with their food, something rubbed Angel the wrong way.

“That Yuji guy, is he ok with all of this?” The question caught Gojo off guard.

“Yeah,” Thomas losing interest in his food spoke, “no one especially someone his age should not experience this. What terribly luck he has,” staring at the skyline.

“Knowing you’re going to die in the future, he must have will power. No regular guy would continue to move forward like that,” Alejandro added in.

The group stopped eating once they saw how silent Gojo became. The topic wasn’t the most positive one, but necessary. The four are weary about Sukuna’s vessel, but if Gojo has faith in the boy then they will follow his judgement. Easier to stomach when the threat is nowhere near your home, praying that this trip will prevent things from coming over to America. Feeling bad for bring up the topic, they resumed eating. No one mentioning again the fate of Yuji Itadori.

[You ok?] Gojo looked up form his plate to see Nicole looking at him. The blankness of her face masked her slight nervousness on how concerned she sounded. She sent him an awkward smile and followed the other’s actions. She ate her food while feeling Gojo’s gaze on her.

[I’m ok], she paused after hearing his thought, to her surprise, relieved. A genuine smile broke onto her face. Not wanting him to see her smile, she concentrates on enjoying her dish.

Dinner almost went smoothly aside from the couple flirty comments towards Nicole. She did not mind them; not like she would tell him that. Her friends on the other hand showed their disgust to Gojo’s flirtation.

After thanking the waitress for her patient service, leaving her a hefty tip courtesy from Gojo, Angel had to be dragged out of the restaurant by Thomas and Alejandro, the poor guy forgets he's lightweight. It was best to enjoy the night as much as they could. The future is ever-changing and they would like to die with no regrets. As they were heading out, going their separate ways for the time being, Gojo had one more thing to tell them.

“You know I’m counting on all four of you,” his parting words held so much weight, but it was also a breath of fresh air. Nodding to him, knowing that they will not let Gojo down. Not when this is the new beginning, one where humans prevail over curses.

[torentialtribute]

Can Lionel Messi mastermind a weakened Argentina side to Copa America glory?

The sight of an inconsolable Lionel Messi slumped on the peat of the MetLife Stadium became the defining image of his troubled tenure in the hallowed Argentina shirt from 2014 to 2016.

To join a 2007 fall at the last hurdle in Venezuela, where bitter rivals Brazil were instead crowned continental champions, the Barcelona icon dragged his nation to the final of every tournament they were challenged during that period.

While the extra time defeat by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final understandably brought Messi to tears, it was the second or two successive Copa America losses to Chile in 2016, on penalties, which hit hardest.

Lionel Messi has lost three Copa America finals in his career white the Argentina national team

He is now lining up a fourth shot knowing an international honor would crown his reputation

Messi was left in tears by Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Germany in 2014

Blasting his side's first attempt over the bar, then- Barcelona teammate and Man of the Match Claudio Bravo's late denial of Lucas Biglia paved the way for Francisco Silva to seal a 4-2 win as the Chilean became unlikely back-to-back South American kings.

Stumbling into the boot room at 2am, fitness coach Elvio Paolorosso found Messi 'absolutely alone' and 'crying like a little boy who's lost his mother'. Shortly after, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner announced his exit from international football.

"I tried so hard to be a champion with Argentina," ground the No 10. "But it didn't happen. I couldn't do it. I think it's best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it, "he sobbed.

As a nation fell into mourning," No te vayas Lio "(Don't go, Lio) became a trending phrase on social media but with time and distance from the whole affair, his return to the national team's set-up was completed a month and a half later.

Messi's first Copa America final defeat came in 2007 – a 3-0 loss against rivals Brazil

His next shot at glory was in 2015 but Argentina and Messi fell short and lost to hosts Chile

Now, there is a chance to exorcise the demons from t the first installment of Argentina's painful trilogy of losses, and possibly its subsequent two chapters, at the very venue – the iconic Maracana in Rio – on July 7.

Even without Neymar, Brazil's home advantage and strength in depth Brazil means they are favorites to come out victors.

They have won the Copa America on all four occasions they have hosted it but may succumb to the pressure of being the home nation like in 2014, when a 7-1 humbling by Germany in the semi-final prevented an epic Brazil-Argentina showdown in the final game. But it remains a possibility this time round.

On the other hand, Argentina, the record 14-time winners of the crown who haven't lifted it since 1993, lost to Venezuela and were unimpressive against Morocco recently before beating Nicaragua 5-1 last Friday.

Boasting a weaker squad in comparison, they can still prove an outside threat with stars such as aging 'Golden Generation' trio Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria however, plus budding talents including Serie A duo Lautaro Martinez and Dybala.

Argentina loses their second straight Copa America final in 2016, again to Chile

Under sacked Jorge Sampaoli's former staff member Lionel Scaloni – brought in as caretaker but then appointed national team boss permanently – reduced expectations could work in Argentina's favor while Brazil deals with the heat from its demanding press and public.

Thrust in Group B containing Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar, not emerging from the land of their eternal foes as winners would not be the end of days for Argentina given that they, and most probably Messi depending on how heavy any exit would be, can enjoy another roll or the dice when they co-host the competition with the Colombians in 2020.

Back-to-back Copa Americas will occur as organizers Conmebol attempt to sync its flagship tournament with its UEFA counterpart. They will simultaneously aim to show they are capable of hosting a major tournament before a joint bid to host the World Cup in its centenary year with Uruguay, where the tournament was first played in 1930.

But for Messi, while immortality would be unquestionably achieved by success on home soil next year, Copa America glory now would be arguably be that bit sweeter as it would soften the blow of Barcelona's Champions League semi-final pummeling against Liverpool at Anfield.

There is obviously his legacy in Argentina too where, as die-hard River Plate fan and chess instructor Pablo Alejandro Costa tells Sportsmail opinion is divided across generations on a player booed by visiting Boca Juniors fans at the Nou Camp in the pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy last August.

Messi needs an international honor to ever Diego Maradona in Argentina

Messi is looking to lead the Argentina national side to their first Copa America since 1993

'What really damages Messi's reputation is the figure of Maradona , "Costa said. "Maradona never quit the national team, and was only absent through his doping cases and other controversies or injuries while being a great leader as captain.

" There is this contrast of them being the best of their eras yet one played better for his club than country.

"For kids and teenagers, as well as those under 35 one could say, Messi is the symbol of the national team and good football but those who saw Maradona in his time are unable to enjoy him."

Jeronimo Villarroya, a music producer, believes that 'without a doubt, winning the Copa is essential for Messi to first of all firmly prove himself as one of the most important players in the history of the national team.'

After Barcelona's Champions League loss to Liverpool, Copa America glory would help Messi

According to Villaroya, however, it will probably do little to unite the nation as some, if not keener on Maradona as Costa explained, "don't appreciate that he has never played for an Argentinian club" while it is also "difficult to change their minds."

There is only one way to find out.

On Saturday night against Colombia in Salvador, Messi will embark down the road of redemption once more to finally gain universal approval across a fanatic football-loving populace back home that is without a major trophy for 26 years.

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