When Argentina beat Peru 2-0 to complete a perfect Copa America group stage, a household name was missing in Lionel Messi. The Argentine number 10 was doubtful for the match due to a hamstring injury, but Lionel Scaloni was already planning a heavy rotation as he had already progressed to the knockout stages and Messi was placed on the bench.
After Argentina’s victory over Chile, Messi said he had a problem with his hamstring in the first half but received treatment during the break to continue in the match. With just one assist in two games started, Messi has started the Copa America slower than expected, but that has not stopped La Albiceleste from winning their first two games without conceding a goal.
“I felt some discomfort in my right hamstring at the beginning of the match. It was tight. It wasn’t as loose as it should have been. But I was able to finish the match. We’ll see how it goes.” Messi said after the match on Tuesday. “My adductor became stiff during the first action. I didn’t feel a puncture or tear, but it was difficult for me to move freely.”
Argentina managed to secure a victory when Lautaro Martinez scored a brace to score his third and fourth goals of the tournament. If Messi misses more time, the Inter man will be crucial to Argentina’s progress in the Copa America. There is plenty of attacking depth that can propel the team to victory and the scoring and creating of Martinez and Julian Alvarez can propel them forward in future matches.
When will Messi return to the starting lineup?
It is difficult to judge when Messi will return to the field as a starter for Argentina. He is currently on the daily list, but it is positive that he was able to play after receiving treatment against Chile, and equally positive that he came on the bench for this game in Peru. Depending on who Argentina gets in the Copa America quarter-finals, it may be in Argentina’s best interest to rest Messi again, but that’s also when it becomes a risk to leave him out. Argentina have enough depth to win games without Messi, but they are keen to get their talisman back on the pitch as soon as possible.
