Lionel Messi in jovial mood as Argentina prepare for 2019 Copa America showdown with Brazil - in pictures

Lionel Messi looked relaxed in training on Monday as Argentina prepared to resume one of the greatest rivalries in football against Brazil at the 2019 Copa America.

At stake is a place in the final, but judging from the pictures in the gallery above, Messi was in jovial mood as he and his Argentina teammates were put through their paces in Belo Horizonte.

This is the mercurial Barcelona forward's fourth Copa semi-final, with Argentina having won the previous three, in 2007, 2015 and 2016. They would go on to lose all three finals.

UAE football fans will have to set their alarm clocks early if they want to catch the action. The match at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte starts at 4.30am Wednesday morning.

To scroll through the gallery above, simply swipe left/right on your browser.

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