Drake Bets $300K on Canada to Beat Lionel Messi, Argentina at 2024 Copa América
July 9, 2024
Drake will be hoping that his summer can be turned around by Canada in the 2024 Copa América semifinal.
The Canadian hip-hop star wagered $300,000 on his home country to defeat Lionel Messi and Argentina on Tuesday night. He stands to be paid $2.88 million if Canada can pull off the upset.
Despite the Canadians being heavy underdogs, it's not a surprise to see Drake throw his support behind the team. He's from Toronto and makes no secret of being a sports homer.
Drake's post about the wager included a cheeky caption saying, "This could get Messi" with a Canadian flag emoji.
Canada's run to the semifinal has been a pleasant surprise in the tournament. Head coach Jesse Marsch's team entered the Copa América 11th out of the 16 teams based on FIFA rankings.
This is Canada's first appearance in the Copa América. The men's national team is seeking its first title in a major tournament since the North American Nations Cup in 1990.
Tuesday's matchup will mark the second head-to-head meeting with Argentina in the Copa América. Canada lost 2-0 in the first game of group play for both teams on June 20.
That was only the second-ever meeting between the two countries. The first one was a 2010 friendly that Argentina won 5-0.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni announced Messi will be starting in the semifinal. The 37-year-old sat out the final game of group play against Peru on June 29 due to a thigh injury. He was back for the quarterfinal against Ecuador five days later and played all 90 minutes.