Argentina’s Copa América 2024 campaign faces a critical juncture as coach Lionel Scaloni grapples with the uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi’s fitness for the quarterfinal clash against Ecuador. Messi, who missed the team’s final group stage match against Peru due to an adductor injury, has been training with the squad, but his readiness for the crucial knockout game remains in question.Scaloni, speaking at a press conference in Houston, emphasized the need for caution and patience in determining Messi’s availability. ‘We’ll wait until the last moment to decide on Messi’s participation. We had good feelings yesterday, but we’ll take this day to define the team based on the response we get today,’ Scaloni stated. The coach plans to have an individual conversation with Messi to assess his physical condition and readiness to play.In preparation for the possibility of Messi’s absence, Scaloni is considering alternative strategies. One option being explored is starting both Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez in attack, a combination that has shown promise in recent performances. ‘We’re satisfied with Lautaro’s contribution to the team,’ Scaloni noted, highlighting the depth of Argentina’s offensive options.Despite the uncertainty surrounding their captain, Argentina enters the quarterfinal with a perfect record in the group stage, having won all three matches without conceding a goal. The team has demonstrated its ability to adapt in Messi’s absence, with players like Ángel Di María stepping up to lead the squad.Meanwhile, in other tournament news, Brazil faces its own challenges as they prepare for their quarterfinal match against Uruguay. Star player Vinicius Júnior has been ruled out of the game after receiving his second yellow card in the match against Colombia. This setback adds to the pressure on the Brazilian team, which has faced criticism for their recent performances in the tournament.
Key points
- Lionel Messi’s participation in Argentina’s Copa América quarterfinal against Ecuador remains uncertain due to an adductor injury.
- Coach Lionel Scaloni will make a final decision on Messi’s involvement after today’s training session.
- Argentina is considering alternative strategies, including starting both Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez in attack.
- Brazil faces challenges in their quarterfinal against Uruguay, with Vinicius Júnior suspended for the match.
