Lionel Messi’s hamstring injury has cast a dark shadow over Argentina’s Copa América campaign, with coach Lionel Scaloni unsure if his star player will be fit for Thursday’s quarter-final against Ecuador.
Messi’s absence from Argentina’s final group stage match against Peru on Saturday has raised alarm bells, and Scaloni’s cautious approach suggests the situation is more serious than initially thought.
Scaloni’s decision to wait until the last minute to decide on his team sheet is a clear indication that Messi’s fitness is still in doubt. The coach’s words, laced with uncertainty, offer little comfort to Argentine fans hoping for a swift recovery.
“We’ll wait a couple of hours and make the decision… yesterday we had good feelings, but we’ll take this day to define the team based on the response we get today,” Scaloni said, his tone laced with trepidation.
The fact that Scaloni will consult with Messi before making a decision suggests that the player’s input will be crucial in determining his own fate. But can Argentina afford to risk their talismanic captain, especially given the high stakes of the tournament?
As the clock ticks down to the quarter-final, Argentine fans can only hold their breath and hope that Messi’s hamstring injury is not as severe as it seems. But with Scaloni’s cautious approach and Messi’s uncertain fitness, the omens are not looking good for La Albiceleste.
