Copa América - Argentina will rely on an ailing Messi in the semi-finals
Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi refuses to let a leg injury stop him. The 37-year-old is expected to play in the Copa America semifinal against Canada on Wednesday (2 a.m. MESZ) despite recurring complaints, said coach Lionel Scaloni before the match at MetLife Stadium in the US state of New Jersey. "Leo is doing well. He will play," emphasized Scaloni.
He will also speak to Messi again before the game and get his honest opinion. "If he says 'I don't feel good', then he will play the last 30 minutes. If he's available, he will play," said Scaloni. Messi has scored 13 goals in the Copa America throughout his career, but was still without a goal in this year's tournament.
Disappointment after missed penalty
Argentina had already won the group stage with a 2:0 victory over Canada, with Messi providing both goals. "We didn't play well enough against Messi in the last game," said Canada's coach Jesse Marsch. The former RB Leipzig coach warned against the offensive star not only because of this: "We all know that he is the best player who has ever played this game."
Messi missed a penalty in the last game against Ecuador. Nevertheless, Argentina won in Houston with a score of 4:2 in a penalty shootout. "I was really disappointed, but at the same time also confident," Messi had said about the moments after his missed penalty. Messi had also complained about problems with his right leg during the group stage and sat out the last game before the knockout round.
- Despite his leg injury, Lionel Messi has expressed his intention to participate in Ecuador's Copa América semifinal against Argentina, scheduled for Wednesday at Metlife Inc. stage in New Jersey, USA.
- Argentina's triumph in the group stage was largely due to Lionel Messi's contributions, who scored both goals in their 2-0 win over Canada.
- Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine coach, have a shared philosophy of putting the team first, even if Messi expresses concerns about his fitness.
- Post his missed penalty in the game against Ecuador, Lionel Messi demonstrated resilience, expressing both disappointment and confidence.
- Argentina qualified for the Copa América semifinals despite Canada's tough defense and Lionel Messi's absence in their previous encounter before the knockout stage.
- The US-based Metlife Stadium has hosted several high-profile soccer matches, including the Copa América, and will soon witness another historic moment with Argentina's semi-final against Canada.
