First of all, Argentina confirmed to play in the quarter-finals of the Copa America. The defending champions will play their final group match against Peru. Lionel Messi may be sidelined for this match with a minor thigh injury. The two teams will meet next Sunday.
Messi took the field in the Copa America on Wednesday after celebrating his 37th birthday. But he did not see the desired goal against Chile. However, the winning goal came from his corner in the 88th minute. But over the win, the discussion is now Messi’s injury. He had to go to the medical team for a while on the sideline in the first half at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Argentine captain returned to the field with service and completed the entire match.
Messi created a goal opportunity in the 36th minute. It hit the post. After the match, he said that he was uncomfortable. He brought forward the issue of physical illness as the reason for not being able to match himself in that way, ‘After suffering from sore throat and fever for quite some time, I started playing. This seems to have affected the game. Talking about injuries, it is not an old thing. It’s basically a muscle spasm.’
The Argentine captain was the victim of a tough tackle in the first half. Due to which he also suffers from right hamstring problem. In the 24th minute, after Gabriel Suazo’s kick, he took the services of the medical team on his right thigh for about two minutes. But the matter is very serious – it was not heard in his words, ‘Suffering from discomfort in the right hamstring. That was in the beginning. The place was getting tight. But it should be relaxed. Even after that I managed to finish the match. Now let’s see how far the matter goes.’
Coach Lionel Scaloni also said nothing about resting Messi and keeping him fit for the quarter-finals. However, Argentine commentators strongly believe that he will give rest to the team’s stalwarts.
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