Lionel Messi misses Argentina training ahead of final Copa America 2024 group stage clash against Peru
Lionel Messi missed Argentina's training session on Thursday, June 27, in Miami ahead of their last Copa America 2024 group stage match against Peru. The game is set to take place on Saturday, June 29, at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Lionel Scaloni's squad have already made it to the quarterfinals following their 1-0 win over Chile on June 25. According to multiple reports from Argentina (via The Athletic), Messi will miss La Albiceleste's match against Peru to prepare for the upcoming quarterfinal clash.
Even a draw against Peru will see Argentina win their group, meaning they could face Ecuador or Mexico in Houston in the next stage on July 4. While the rest of the La Albiceleste squad trained at Florida International University on Thursday ahead of the game, Lionel Messi stayed back at the team hotel.
The captain reportedly underwent treatment on his right adductor. A spokesperson for the Argentina Football Federation told The Athletic that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner trained with a team physio at the team hotel, emphasizing on kinesiology exercises.
In the post-match conference following Argentina's win against Chile, Lionel Messi informed that he had felt some discomfort in his right leg early in the clash and said (via The Athletic):
"It was tight. It wasn’t as loose as it should’ve been. But I was able to finish the game. We’ll see how it goes."
As reported by multiple outlets in Argentina, Lionel Messi underwent a scan of his right adductor at MetLife Stadium after the win against Chile. He will have another scan on Friday. La Albiceleste captain also informed reporters on Tuesday that he had been struggling with a sore throat and fever recently.
Lionel Scaloni confirmed changes in Lionel Messi-led Argentina's line-up against Peru in Copa America 2024
Argentina national team head coach Lionel Scaloni has mentioned that he would heavily rotate his squad's line-up for their last Copa America 2024 group-stage match against Peru.
After securing their spot in the knockouts, Scaloni wishes to select players who missed the team's first two Copa America 2024 clashes. At a post-match press conference after the win against Chile, the 46-year-old manager said (via TyCSports):
"The boys who were not in these two matches will play [in the next game] because I need to see them and they also deserve it."
Argentina players yet to play in Copa America 2024 include Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios, and Real Betis enforcer Guido Rodriguez.