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June 26 2024
Argentina: Lionel Messi, having just turned 37, may miss Argentina's next Copa America match against Peru because of a thigh injury. Fortunately, the team has already clinched a place in the next round with victories in their first two games.
During Argentina's tight 1-0 win over Chile in the U.S. tournament, Messi needed some quick medical attention for a thigh injury. However, he managed to play the entire game, nearly scoring with a long-range effort that hit the post and playing a key role in Argentina's attacking play.
Argentina's qualification for the next stage has already been confirmed, so the team may decide to rest Messi against Peru to allow his thigh injury to heal, as he has been suffering from muscle problems recently.
"It bothered me a bit, but I stuck it out and stayed on the field until the end. I hope it's nothing serious... I couldn't even walk properly because of the problem," Messi was quoted as saying by Reuters. Messi also admitted that it would be wise to sit out Saturday's match against Peru.
"Let's see how the next few days go, how I recover. We have taken an important step to qualify and we are relaxed. It involves a lot of games and a lot of travel," Messi said. He said he also had a sore throat and fever before the match against Chile.
Argentina, the defending world champions and top contenders for the Copa America title, have made a solid start to the tournament despite not performing at their top level. Their 2-0 win over Canada and their previous victories have put them in a strong position.
Argentina top Group A with six points, while Canada trail on three after their win against Peru.
The Argentines will be relieved to have started the Copa with a straightforward win, a far cry from their previous major tournament experience.
At the World Cup held in Qatar, they lost 2–1 to Saudi Arabia in their first match, which was considered one of the biggest upsets in football history.
Stage?
Lautaro Martinez's last-minute goal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday helped Messi overcome one of the most difficult moments of his career at the same ground eight years ago.
A missed penalty in the shootout led to Argentina losing the 2016 Copa America final to Chile, leaving a dejected Messi vowing to retire from international football after another disappointment with his national team.
Coach Lionel Scaloni refused to confirm whether he would rest Messi against Peru to ensure his fitness for the quarter-finals, but Argentine football pundits speculated he would do so.
Despite achieving numerous feats from a young age at club level with Barcelona, it was only in the latter stages of his career that Messi managed to win a major international tournament with Argentina, matching Diego Maradona's godlike status in his football-mad country.
He led Argentina to victory at the last Copa America in 2021 and the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
While fans are contemplating whether this is his last international tournament, Scaloni has encouraged them to enjoy watching Messi play rather than speculate about future plans.
The conditions seem ripe for another potential Messi fairytale ending. Their opponents Brazil are in poor form and only managed a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in their opening match, The Copa final on July 14 is set to take place in Florida, the home state of Messi's team, Inter Miami.
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