July 04, (THEWILL) – Argentina face a tense wait over the fitness of captain, Lionel Messi, ahead of their Copa America quarter-final clash with Ecuador on Thursday. The 37-year-old forward missed Argentina’s final group stage match against Peru due to right hamstring discomfort, raising concerns about his availability for the knockout rounds.
Coach Lionel Scaloni addressed the situation in a press conference, stating that a final decision on Messi’s participation would be made after Wednesday’s training session. Scaloni emphasised the importance of allowing Messi additional time to recover, noting: “We’ll wait a couple of hours and make the decision. It is always better to have one more day.”
The Argentina manager plans to consult directly with Messi regarding his readiness for the crucial match. “We’ll try to get him in and then, if he’s not ready, we’ll look for the best solution for the team,” Scaloni explained. He added that it was fair for Messi to take his time and train as much as possible before a final determination is made.
Messi’s potential absence would be a notable blow to Argentina’s ambitions of defending their Copa América title. As much as Messi’s influence on the pitch remains unparalleled, the team demonstrated their depth by securing a 2-0 victory over Peru without their talismanic captain.
As the reigning champions prepare for their quarter-final encounter, all eyes will be on Argentina’s final training session. The outcome will not only impact their tactical approach against Ecuador but could also shape the trajectory of their tournament campaign.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
