Messi injured, Scaloni suspended, Argentina misses last group game at the Copa América

Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni will not officially be selected for Argentina’s final group match of the 2024 Copa América against Peru on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

“Leo had a problem in the last game and will not be playing this game. We will see from day to day how he develops,” confirmed Argentine assistant coach Walter Samuel.

The striker revealed his injury after Tuesday’s win over Chile, explaining his decision to play the full 90 minutes despite the pain and not being “100 percent” fit. However, after tests, the Albiceleste coaching staff decided to bench the player.

“I had a slight discomfort in my right thigh at the start of the game. It was tight. It wasn’t as loose as it should have been. But I was able to finish the game. We’ll see how it goes,” Messi said in a mixed zone interview after the match.

“During the first game, my adductor muscle became hard. I didn’t feel any puncture or tear, but I had difficulty moving freely.”

He will be monitored daily and is expected to return for the knockout rounds as Argentina has already qualified for the next stage of the competition.

Argentine coach Scaloni Good Swill will also miss the match against Peru after being banned by CONMEBOL for returning to the field late after half-time.

The South American Football Confederation ruled that Argentina had violated Articles 104 and 145 of the Copa America rules, which state that teams must be on the field in time for kick-off after half-time.

“If the players of a team arrive on the field of play later than the scheduled time for the start or resumption of play or do not follow the instructions of the referee or match delegate, the association responsible may be sanctioned by the CONMEBOL disciplinary bodies with a warning for the first offence and a fine for the second or subsequent offence,” CONMEBOL said in a statement.

The sanctions against La Albiceleste also include a fine of $15,000.

“He (Scaloni) is a little bitter about the situation because we consider ourselves a correct coaching staff. In these six years, this type of sanction has almost never been given. But it is normal that he is bitter, he wanted to be back with the team tomorrow,” added Samuel.

Chilean coach Ricardo Gareca was also suspended for his late return to the field.

“Ricardo was on his way to the press conference when we received the official communication from CONMEBOL about the one-match suspension. He returned to the hotel and we tried to solve the problem. That’s why we are here,” said Chilean assistant coach Sergio Santín in the pre-match press conference.

Argentina has promised to approach the game with the same concentration and determination despite the absences and to rotate the players who did not play any minutes.