Lionel Messi will not play for Argentina in their final Copa América group match against Peru on Saturday in Miami.
The Argentina star was ruled out after sustaining an injury to his right thigh during Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Chile. Messi was treated on the sidelines in the first half and also announced after the match that he was suffering from right hamstring discomfort.
“I started the match with discomfort, I wasn’t completely loose,” Messi said. “I didn’t feel any sharp pain or anything like that, but it became stiff. It was difficult to move freely and it was a bit uncomfortable.”
Messi, who turned 37 on Monday, played all 180 minutes in Argentina’s two victories, which put the side top of Group A and already through to the knockout stages of the tournament.
He did not take part in Argentina’s training on Thursday and national coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match against Chile that changes were in order for his line-up against Peru.
“We are happy, and we can enjoy the days, and give minutes to the youngest,” Scaloni said. “I think it is fair to let the players who have not had minutes go on the field.”
Canada plays its other Group A match against Chile on Saturday.
Should Argentina, as expected, retain top spot in the group, they will face the team in second place in Group B, which could be Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico or Jamaica depending on how their results go on Sunday.
Scaloni suspended for match against Peru
CONMEBOL’s disciplinary committee has suspended Argentina’s national coach for one match after the team returned to the pitch late for the second half in both group stage matches.
“If a team’s players appear on the pitch later than the scheduled time for the start or restart of the match, or do not obey the instructions of the referee or match delegate, the responsible association may be penalized by the CONMEBOL disciplinary bodies with a warning for a first match offence and a fine for second or subsequent offences,” CONMEBOL said.
Scaloni is also not allowed to speak to the press after Saturday’s match against Peru.
Copa América rules state that players must return to the field immediately after the break. Argentina had already been warned once after their opening match against Canada.
