Messi will not be playing against Peru in the third round of the Copa América group stage. It was a possibility before the tournament began and it became a reality due to two factors: Messi is suffering from discomfort in an adductor and Argentina has already qualified.
It is well known that Messi does not like to miss any game, but he knows that he has to rest. On Thursday he was not at the rally and spent the day at home with his family. (Argentina returned to Miami where they will play next Saturday). The Albiceleste footballers had the day off and were able to carry out activities outside the concentration hotel.
But returning to Messi, the situation is not worrying for now but we are paying attention to it. Messi had to be treated by the Argentine team’s coaching staff during the first half of the match against Chile. It was a very intense match, with a lot of friction and Messi didn’t want to miss it.. The ’10’ received a massage on the adductor muscle of his right leg, the same one that has been causing him problems on occasion with his club.
But Messi kept playing, he shot on goal, he moved, he dribbled and completed the 90 minutes.He completed seven dribbles out of eleven attempts, two shots (one hitting the post), 65 touches, 32 passes, won 10 of the 20 duels he played, lost 16 balls and received three fouls. But beyond the numbers, Argentina always shows that it needs Messi. Now we have to see if he makes it to the quarter-finals or not, although everything seems to indicate that he will.
Messi will not be available against Peru and Scaloni could make several changes. On the one hand, Otamendi could return in defence. Acuña will also be out due to discomfort and Tagliafico or Nicolás González could play in that position.. We could return to Paredes and Di María in the midfield and the logical thing is that Alejandro Garnacho also enters the starting team in this Cup.
