Due to muscle soreness, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was unable to train on Thursday afternoon. As a result, it is uncertain if he will play against Peru in their last Copa America group stage match.
Protecting the winners According to Argentine media sources, Argentina exercised at the Miami International University sports ground without Messi, who underwent kinesiology sessions and medical exams.
Messi, who turned 37 this week and has been experiencing nagging muscle pain, needed a quick medical procedure on his thigh on Monday during Argentina’s 1-0 tournament victory against Chile, which was hosted by the United States.
The Inter Miami player suggested it could be better to miss Saturday’s match against Peru, as his team has already advanced to the following round with two victories.
“My adductor got a bit stiff and I couldn’t stay loose, it was bothering me a little bit, but I was able to finish the game, so I’ll see how it evolves over the next few days,” Messi said following the victory on Monday.
Regarding the forward’s fitness, the Argentine Football Association withheld a medical update. Marcos Acuna, the defenseman, also sustained a muscle ailment in Miami during training.
In the Group A championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, coach Lionel Scaloni announced that he will rest his first-choice players.
