Lionel Messi hopes that the leg injury Argentina sustained in their Copa America win over Chile is not serious
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Lionel Messi gestures during the 2024 Copa America match against Chile on June 25, 2024. | Photo credit: Getty Images via AFP
Lionel Messi hopes the leg injury he sustained in Argentina’s 1–0 win over Chile in the Copa America final is “nothing serious”.
A day after his 37th birthday, the Argentine superstar underwent treatment for almost two minutes on the thigh area of his right leg after being kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th minute on Tuesday evening.
However, Messi remained on the field as the defending champions secured their place in the quarter-finals.
After the game, he told reporters it was “nothing serious.” Messi added: “It bothers me a little bit but I was able to finish the game. It was hard for me to move freely, especially from one side to the other. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow.” Messi said he had also been struggling with a sore throat and fever in recent days.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during his post-match press conference that he had not spoken to Messi but was not worried about the injury.
Scaloni noted that towards the end of the game, Messi sprinted half the length of the pitch along with Ángel Di María and Lautaro Martínez.
“This is my last picture,” said Scaloni.
Martínez scored the only goal after a scramble in the 88th minute following a corner from Messi.
Scaloni said he plans to rest several regular players in Argentina’s final Group A match against Peru in Florida on Saturday.
Argentina will win the group unless it loses to Peru in Miami Gardens and Canada beats Chile in a simultaneous game in Orlando.
The Canadians can overtake Argentina on goal difference. Argentina is plus three and Canada is minus one.
