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Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has said that captain Lionel Messi's availability for the 2024 Copa America quarterfinal with Ecuador on Thursday (July 4) in Houston, Texas, remains uncertain. Messi missed the final group game against Peru due to apparent discomfort.
The 37-year-old has started training, but if he's not fit for the game, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez are set to start up front as La Albiceleste continue their title defence.
About Messi's availability for the game, Scaloni said that he would have a discussion with the attacker to ascertain his match fitness. He said (as per Albiceleste Talk):
“We will wait before making a decision about Messi. Yesterday, we had good feelings about Leo. Yes, it's an option for Lautaro and Julian to start together if Leo is not there. We will wait for today's training to discuss.
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"It changes things if Leo doesn’t play. We'll try to have him. It’s fair to wait until the last moment and let him take his time. Before training, I will talk with him to decide what we will do tomorrow. To define the team, we will wait to see how he is, as we had good feelings yesterday.”
Messi has had an injury-plagued start to 2024 with his club side Inter Miami as well, missing six games across competitions.
How has Lionel Messi fared for Argentina at 2024 Copa America?
Argentina captain Lionel Messi is yet to open his account after two games at the ongoing 2024 Copa America. He started the first two group games and played the full 90 minutes.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner might not have scored his first goal at the ongoing Copa, but Messi provided an assist in the 2-0 win over Canada in the first game.
With La Albiceleste looking to win a fourth straight major title, Messi will hope to find his scoring boots soon as the business end of the 2024 Copa America beckons. Messi and Co. are looking to become the first back-to-back Copa champions since Chile in 2015-16.
