Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel provides an update on Lionel Messi’s injury status ahead of the Copa America quarter-finals.
Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel has revealed that Lionel Messi is “improving” in his recovery from an injury issue.
Messi required treatment in Argentina’s second Copa America game against Chile, before he admitted after the match that he had felt “some discomfort” in his right hamstring.
With a quarter-final place already secured, the 37-year-old was one of several players rested for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Peru.
Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez scored both goals to wrap up top spot in Group A and send his country into the quarter-finals with their 100% record intact.
Argentina will be in action on Thursday for a quarter-final clash against the country that finishes in second place in Group B.
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Messi making progress in injury recovery
Samuel, who took charge against Peru due to Scaloni’s one-match suspension, revealed after the match that Messi is making progress and is continuing to be monitored ahead of the knockout rounds.
“He was in the locker room, we noticed him better,” Samuel told reporters. “The situation is improving but it’s a few days and the situation is premature to talk about. We’ll talk about it on a day-to-day basis with him, and talk to the doctors.”
Veteran attacker Angel Di Maria is also hopeful that Messi will prove his fitness in time for Thursday’s quarter-final in Houston.
“Leo is fine, he is recovering,” Di Maria said in an interview with TyC Sports. “When he’s not there we all have to do twice as much. We try to do what he does on the field. I think it’s a nice victory for him too.”
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Who will Argentina face in the quarter-finals?
Argentina will now prepare for a meeting with the runners-up from Group B and the identity of their opponent will be decided in Sunday’s two Copa America fixtures.
La Albiceleste know they cannot face Jamaica, who have already been eliminated after losing their two group matches.
As it stands, Argentina’s opponent is likely to be either Mexico or Ecuador, with the two countries separated by goal difference ahead of their clash in Glendale, Arizona.
Argentina recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a warm-up game for the tournament, while their most recent meeting with Mexico produced a 2-0 win in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
There is a small chance that the holders could still face Venezuela, but La Vinotinto are seemingly on course to finish in top spot after claiming maximum points in their first two games.