Following his injury in the game against Chile, Lionel Messi will miss the final group game at the Copa America against Peru
Argentina will be without superstar Lionel Messi for their final Copa America group game against Peru (Sunday, June 30, 2 a.m. CEST). The Inter Miami player suffered a thigh injury in the win against Chile (0:1) on Wednesday. After the final whistle, the multiple World Cup winner had already told reporters about problems in his upper right leg. “It wasn’t as loose as it should have been,” said Messi, adding: “But I was able to finish the game. We’ll see what happens next.”
After the 37-year-old was unable to train on Thursday, the attacking player is expected back in training on Friday at least. Nevertheless, Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel – who was mainly responsible for the absence of the suspended Lionel Scaloni against Peru – confirmed the attacker’s absence: “He won’t be involved in the next game. We’ll look from day to day and see how he recovers.”
Thanks to two wins from two games, Argentina have already qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa America. However, unlike the European Championship, goal difference is the first deciding factor in the event of a tie at the Copa, so the Albiceleste are not already group winners. However, one point is enough against Peru
