Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that despite a leg injury, team captain Lionel Messi will be playing in the upcoming Copa América semifinal against Canada. Messi, who is 37 years old, played the full 90 minutes in the quarterfinal match against Ecuador and even took the first penalty kick, which unfortunately hit the crossbar.
Scaloni assured reporters during a press conference that Messi is doing well and will definitely be on the field for the important match. Despite missing a previous group stage match due to his injury, Messi returned for the quarterfinal and played a crucial role in Argentina’s victory.
Although Argentina had a shaky start to the tournament, they managed to defeat Canada 2-0 in the opening match. Since then, Messi has been struggling with his injury and has yet to score a goal for his team in the Copa América. However, Scaloni expressed full confidence in Messi’s abilities and stated that it is ultimately up to the player himself whether he feels fit to compete.
On the other hand, Canada, coached by Jesse Marsch, is eager to create an upset in the semifinal match against the tournament favorites. Despite being the underdogs, Canada has exceeded expectations and now has a chance to make a statement by defeating Argentina and securing a spot in the final.
Scaloni acknowledged Canada’s motivation and emphasized the importance of developing a strong strategy to counter their opponents. Argentina is determined to defend their title and will be using all their resources to secure a victory in the upcoming match.
Overall, the stage is set for an exciting semifinal clash between Argentina and Canada, with both teams eager to prove themselves on the field. The presence of Lionel Messi adds an extra layer of anticipation to the match, as fans eagerly await to see if the legendary player can lead his team to another victory in the Copa América.