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LOS ANGELES. — Lionel Messi must shrug off the gruelling demands of a globe-trotting schedule if he is to fulfill his dream of leading Argentina to a first major soccer tournament victory in 23 years at the Copa America Centenario.

The Barcelona superstar heads into the tournament having barely had a moment’s rest for four years, with commitments for club and country meaning he has not had a summer off since 2013.

The punishing nature of Messi’s commitments are illustrated by his hectic preparations for the Copa, where Argentina open against Chile at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers, on June 6.

Messi left Spain after Barcelona’s Copa del Rey victory over Sevilla on May 22 in order to be in Argentina for the Albiceleste’s friendly against Honduras in San Juan five days later.

The 28-year-old was then due to return to Spain after that friendly to attend the opening of his trial for tax fraud this week.

Following that hearing, Messi faces another long-haul journey to California to link up with Argentina’s Copa squad.

Whether or not the jet lag and off-field problems affect Messi’s performances in the United States remains to be seen.

Questions about the wisdom of Messi’s schedule were underscored when he hobbled off against Honduras after suffering a lower back injury. — AFP.