Injured Messi and Suspended Scaloni to Miss Argentina’s Final Copa América Group Match

Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni will not be part of Argentina’s final group stage match in the 2024 Copa América against Peru. The game is set for Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

“Leo had an issue in the last game, so he won’t be playing this time. We’ll monitor his condition daily to see how he improves,” said Argentina’s assistant coach Walter Samuel.

Messi disclosed his injury after Argentina’s win over Chile on Tuesday. He played the entire match despite not being fully fit. After medical tests, the coaching staff decided to rest him.

“I felt some tightness in my right hamstring early in the game. It wasn’t as loose as it should be, but I managed to finish the match. We’ll see how it goes,” Messi explained in a post-match interview.

He mentioned that his adductor muscle felt hard during the first play. Although he didn’t feel a sharp pain or tear, it was difficult for him to move freely. Messi will be monitored daily and is expected to return for the knockout stage since Argentina has already qualified.

Coach Scaloni will also miss the game against Peru due to a suspension by CONMEBOL. The suspension came because Argentina’s team returned late to the field after halftime in a previous match.

South America’s soccer governing body found Argentina guilty of breaking rules that require teams to be on the field on time after the halftime break.

“If a team’s players are late to the field for the start or resumption of the game, or if they disobey the referee’s instructions, the responsible association can be sanctioned with a warning for the first offense and a fine for subsequent offenses,” according to CONMEBOL.

Argentina was fined $15,000 as part of the sanctions.

“Scaloni is a bit upset about the situation because we see ourselves as a disciplined coaching staff. In six years, we’ve rarely faced such sanctions. But it’s normal for him to be upset; he wanted to be with the team tomorrow,” added Samuel.

Chile’s coach Ricardo Gareca was also suspended for a delayed return to the pitch.

“Ricardo was heading to the press conference when we got the official notice from CONMEBOL about his one-match suspension. He went back to the hotel, and we tried to resolve it, which is why we’re here,” said Chilean assistant coach Sergio Santín during the pre-match press conference.

Despite the absences, Argentina is determined to approach the game with the same focus and will rotate players to give those who haven’t played much a chance.