Lionel Messi fitness remains uncertain ahead of Argentina’s Copa America quarter-final clash against Ecuador on Thursday, with coach Lionel Scaloni opting to delay his decision on team selection. Lionel Messi sat out Argentina’s last group stage match against Peru due to discomfort in his right hamstring, prompting Scaloni to wait until after Wednesday’s training session to assess his condition.
“We’ll wait a few hours and then decide. It’s always better to have an extra day,” Scaloni stated during a press conference. “Yesterday, we had positive signs and we’ll use today to finalize the squad based on how Messi responds.”
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Scaloni emphasized consulting with the 37-year-old Messi to gauge his readiness. “We’ll try to include him, and if he’s not fit, we’ll find the best solution for the team. I’ll speak with him today. It’s fair for him to take his time and train as much as needed.”
Following extensive squad rotation in the match against Peru, where Argentina secured qualification to the knockout stage, Scaloni hinted at deploying Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez as dual strikers should Messi be unavailable.
“Lautaro, the Copa’s top scorer with four goals, including a brace against Peru, and Alvarez, who scored in the opener against Canada, have already played together against Ecuador,” Scaloni noted. “We’ll finalize our decision after today’s training. They’ve performed well together, making it a viable option.”
Ecuador’s coach, Felix Sanchez, anticipates a formidable Argentine opponent regardless of Lionel Messi’s participation. “We know Argentina is a top team. Messi is a difference-maker, but we’ve faced them with and without him,” he remarked. “Their game plan remains consistent; they’ve been cohesive under Scaloni’s tenure, and we need to be prepared.”
The uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi’s fitness adds intrigue to the upcoming quarter-final, as both teams prepare for a high-stakes encounter in the Copa America.
