Lionel Messi was injured in the 1-0 victory over Chile and will not be able to play in the final match of Group A Copa America 2024 against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, USA) on June 30.
Messi suffered an injury in the first half of the match against Chile on June 26 and had to be treated on the sidelines. The 37-year-old later confirmed that he had felt discomfort in his right hamstring but was able to continue playing.
However, the Argentine star stayed at the hotel and did not attend training with his teammates to prepare for the match against Peru.
“I felt a little discomfort in my right hamstring at the start of the game against Chile. It was tight but not too serious. I played the full 90 minutes in that game. We’ll see how it goes.
In the first half, my adductor muscle was stiff. I didn’t feel punctured or torn, but I found it difficult to move freely,” Lionel Messi said about his injury after the match against Chile.
Messi’s injury has Argentina worried about their upcoming Copa America campaign in the US. Coach Lionel Scaloni has been given an update on the Inter Miami star’s condition and confirmed that Messi will miss Argentina’s next match against Peru.
“Yes, he played the full 90 minutes against Chile, but his leg is having problems. I hope it’s nothing too serious. He can rest for the next match against Peru, especially That’s when Argentina is certain to reach the quarterfinals,” coach Scaloni said.
The Argentina coach added that he will make a few changes to his squad for the match against Peru and that this is an opportunity for young players to get a chance to compete at a major tournament.
“We are satisfied with what we have shown and we can rest the pillars of the team to give opportunities to young players. I think it is important to let young players have a chance to play.” The field is fair,” coach Lionel Scaloni said.
Exequiel Palacios, Guido Rodríguez, Valentin Carboni and Alejandro Garnacho are yet to feature for Argentina in their opening two matches in the United States, although they participated in pre-Copa America friendlies against Guatemala and Ecuador.
Manchester United midfielder Garnacho is among the players likely to feature for Argentina against Peru, sources say .
The victory over Chile guaranteed La Albiceleste a place in the knockout stages of the tournament. Argentina does not need to depend on the result of the match with Peru because they are almost certain to hold the top spot in Group A thanks to two victories over Canada and Chile.
The final match of Group A Copa America 2024 between Argentina and Peru will take place at 7:00 a.m. on June 30 at Hard Rock Stadium (Minami, USA).
