Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has given his verdict on whether Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi will play tonight in the Copa America against Ecuador.
The 37-year-old attacker was rested for Argentina’s final group stage match against Peru with the reigning Copa America title holders already through to the quarter-final stage of this year’s competition.
Having picked up a small injury against Chile, Messi’s fitness has once again become a big talking point for Argentina and Inter Miami fans, with the attacker now a doubt for tonight’s game in Houston against Ecuador.
And manager Scaloni has now shared if Messi will be fit enough to play for Argentina tonight.
Messi to be evaluated today by Argentina ahead of Ecuador clash
Speaking to the press, Argentina manager Scaloni admitted that a final decision is yet to be made on whether Messi will play against Ecuador, with the forward to be evaluated today on whether he can feature.
Having missed a game and returned to full training, all signs point towards Messi being fit enough to play tonight against Ecuador, yet the risk of aggravating the forward’s hamstring injury could be a risk not worth taking for Argentina.
Scaloni said on Messi’s fitness: “We will train, and then we will decide. One more day is always better, yesterday we had good results and we will decide soon. Based on that, we will decide if Messi plays.
“I haven’t spoken with him about the situation, but I will talk to him. I thought it was fair that he took his time and trained as much as possible. After talking, we will decide. I haven’t talked to him, so we don’t know if he will play.”
Messi should not play tonight unless he is 100% fully fit
Messi’s fitness has been a major point of contention ever since the forward’s move to Inter Miami last year, with the Argentine starting to show his age physically despite his immense talents on the ball.
And tonight, Messi should not be playing unless the Inter Miami forward is 100% up for the task, with Argentina needing their star forward for the semi-final in the likely event of a win against Ecuador tonight.
Indeed, Messi is too important for club and country to be risked if he’s not ready to play, and Argentina’s medical staff know better than anyone not to rush the 37-year-old attacker back if he’s not fully fit.