Messi is fine and will face Canada, says Scaloni

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Monday that his namesake Lionel Messi will be part of the team that will face Canada in the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa América, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“Leo is fine, so tomorrow he will be part of the game, he is ready to play and we are calm. Messi’s level is good, he is fundamental for us and I know what he can give us, even if he is not in great condition,” Scaloni said in a press conference at MetLife Stadium.

Since the match against Chile, in the second round of Group A, Messi has been suffering from discomfort in the adductor muscle of his right thigh, which forced him out of the game against Peru, in Miami, and forced him to play a low-key match against Ecuador, last Thursday, in the quarter-finals.

The Quarterfinals left a lot to tell and remember 😍 pic.twitter.com/cpXryiWiKq

— CONMEBOL Copa America™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 8, 2024

Argentina had a good start to the Copa América by beating Canada 2-0, then followed up with two wins, over Chile (1-0) and Peru (2-0). In the quarterfinals, they struggled to eliminate Ecuador by winning 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

“I don’t know what team Canada will put out there and, in addition to the strengths they have in certain areas, we will put out a team that can stop them and attack them. Canada made things difficult for everyone. We will try to make the game go our way with our game and, with our weapons, we hope to take the game our way,” concluded the coach.

The game against the Canadians is scheduled for next Tuesday at 9pm (Brasília time) at MetLife Stadium. The other semifinal, between Uruguay and Colombia, will be played on Wednesday, also at 9pm (Brasília time), in Charlotte. The winners will play for the 2024 Copa América title on Sunday in Miami.