Lionel Messi doubtful for Argentina’s crucial Copa America quarterfinal against Ecuador
Lionel Messi is still a doubt for Argentina's crucial quarterfinal game against Ecuador.
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Lionel Messi hasn't had the best of tournaments at the 2024 Copa America (Via X/@brfootball & AlicelesteTalk)
Lionel Messi is three games away from successfully defending his Copa America title with Argentina. La Albiceleste are up against Ecuador in the quarterfinal after topping group A with three wins out of three. The 37-year-old missed their final group stage game against Peru after picking up a leg injury against Chile.
Despite the Argentine’s absence, the World Cup champions won the game 2-0. Boss Lionel Scaloni admitted in a recent press conference that the No.10 is still a doubt for the game against Ecaudor on Thursday.
We'll train in a couple of hours and then decide. Based on today's answer (while training), we'll decide if Messi plays.Lionel Scaloni said in a press conference
The No.10 has been in recovery ever since the game against Chile and will not take to the pitch unless fully fit. Scaloni also admitted that he is yet to have a conversation with the superstar and cannot make a final decision unless Messi himself confirms his fitness.
The manager is yet to finalize his starting XI for tomorrow’s game and claims that Messi’s inclusion will not impact the inclusion of other players in attack.
Who will Lionel Scaloni start in the absence of Lionel Messi?
It is understood that Scaloni will most likely start an attacking duo of Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez if Lionel Messi fails to be fit in time for the game. Scaloni himself admitted that starting the two together remains an ‘option’ for his, even though the decision is not final. Fans recalled how Argentina started the duo against Ecaudor in a friendly, as Messi watched on from the bench.
La Albiceleste won the game 1-0, even though Scaloni refused to make use of a friendly match as a precursor to starting the duo. The manager insisted that every game has its own story and that there is no need to over-analyze a friendly. Martinez has been Argentina’s biggest threat going forward at this year’s Copa America, having found the net four times in three games.
Alvarez on the other hand, scored one goal in Argentina’s tournament opener against Canada. After failing to find the net against Canada, Messi is yet to get off the mark in the Copa America. The game is set to be played at NRG Stadium in Texas and the winner will face either Venezuela or Canada in the semi-final. In the other bracket, Brazil take on Uruguay while Colombia face Panama.
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Sherwin Shaju
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