Messi’s Copa América Status Uncertain Ahead of Ecuador Quarterfinal
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has cast doubt over Lionel Messi‘s availability for Thursday’s Copa América quarterfinal against Ecuador.
The 35-year-old superstar took part in the evening training session, but Scaloni refused to confirm whether he would feature in the crucial match.
Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory last year, has been struggling with a minor injury.
Scaloni:
“We will train in a couple hours, and then we will decide.
One more day is always better, yesterday we had good sensations and today we will decide.
Based on today’s answer [In training], we will decide if Messi plays,” he said in a news conference before practice.
Scaloni expects to have an individual conversation with Messi after the last session and before the match to further understand his physical status.
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“I haven’t spoken with him about the situation, I will talk to him today given it’s match day -1.”
“I thought it was fair that he took his time and train as much as possible. After talking, we will decide. I haven’t talked to him, so we don’t know if he will play.”
Though Scaloni is not sure how his team will line up against Ecuador
“It’s never been that way. It alters when Leo doesn’t play, it alters everyone, not just me.”
“We will try for him to be there, and if not we will find the best for the team.
He’s game by game, and the team will conform to the rival.”
Scaloni warned against overanalyzing that friendly ahead of the knockout match tomorrow, saying “every game has its own story.”
“They’ve played together against this rival, and we will decide after today’s training.”
“They’ve worked well, and it’s an option. But we will see how everyone is today, especially Leo, and we will see.
“That game has nothing to do with [the friendly result].
It’s a completely different game, with different players I imagine. But every game has its own story.
We analyzed and watched the game, but we think it’ll be different. No game is the same, but we will play in a similar fashion.”
Argentina fans will be eagerly waiting for the team sheet to be announced, hoping to see their talismanic captain lead the team in the quest for another major title.
