Lionel Messi hopes a leg injury sustained during Argentina’s 1-0 Copa America win over Chile is “nothing serious”.
Playing a day after his 37th birthday, the Argentina
superstar received treatment on the thigh area of his right leg for nearly two
minutes after getting kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th minute on Tuesday
night.
Messi, however, stayed on the field as the defending
champion clinched a quarterfinal berth.
He told reporters after the match that it was “nothing
serious”. Messi added: “It’s bothering me a little bit but I was able to finish
the match. It was hard for me to move freely, particularly side to side. We’ll
see tomorrow how it feels.”
Messi said he’s also been dealing with a sore throat and
fever in recent days.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during his post-game
news conference that he had not spoken with Messi but wasn’t concerned about
the injury.
Scaloni cited Messi sprinting half the length of the field
along with Ángel Di María and Lautaro Martínez late in the game.
“That’s my last image,” Scaloni said.
Martínez scored the only goal following a scramble in the 88th
minute after a corner by Messi.
Scaloni said he’s planning to rest several starters in
Argentina’s last Group A match, against Peru on Saturday in Florida.
Argentina will win the group unless it loses to Peru in
Miami Gardens and Canada beats Chile in a game played simultaneously in
Orlando.
The Canadians can overtake Argentina on goal difference.
Argentina is on plus-three and Canada minus-one. AP