Argentina Coach: “Messi’s Participation in Copa Quarterfinals Uncertain… I Will do my Best”
Argentina national soccer team’s ‘captain’ Lionel Messi (37, Inter Miami) has not recovered from his injury, making it uncertain whether he will play in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa America (South American Football Championship).
At a press conference held at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, USA on the 4th (Korean time), a day before the quarterfinals match between Argentina and Ecuador.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni said, “It is difficult to guarantee Messi’s participation in the match against Ecuador.”
“I will wait a few more hours today and then decide. 에볼루션 바카라사이트
The injury will get better with time.
Depending on the results today, I will decide whether Messi will play tomorrow, he said.”
Messi played full-time in both the first and second group matches, fulfilling the role of ‘ace’.
However, after the second match against Chile, he complained of discomfort in his right hamstring (the muscle at the back of the thigh) and withdrew from the lineup, and watched the third match from the bench.
Messi met with reporters after the Chile match and said, “My adductor muscles are stiff.
“It didn’t feel like it was breaking or tearing, but it was difficult to move freely,” he explained.
Ahead of the press conference that day, Messi was spotted training with his teammates at the training ground.
Coach Scaloni said, “I will do my best to make sure Lionel Messi can play in the game.
Even if I can’t play, I will find the best way for the team, he said.
“I will talk to Messi today.
We will allow Messi to train as much as possible,”” he said.”
Argentina, aiming for its 16th Copa America title, won all three matches against Canada, Chile, and Peru in the group stage and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Their opponent, Ecuador, advanced to the quarterfinals in second place in Group B.
They showed considerable performance, including a 3-1 crushing of Jamaica and a 0-0 draw with Central American powerhouse Mexico.
The quarterfinals between Argentina and Ecuador will kick off at 10 a.m. on the 5th.
Coach Scaloni did not let his guard down, saying, “Ecuador is one of the best teams in the Copa America and a team that can challenge for the championship.”
Meanwhile, Messi has yet to score a goal in this tournament. Messi, who is
tied for 7th place in the Copa America scoring rankings with 13 goals, needs four more goals to surpass Norberto Mendes (Argentina) and Zinho (Brazil) 17 goals and tied for first place.