EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — 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.
Lionel Messi, the star forward for the Argentina national team, recently suffered a leg injury during a match against Venezuela. The injury occurred in the first half of the game, causing concern among fans and teammates alike. Messi was seen limping off the field with a grimace on his face, sparking fears that the injury could be serious.
After the match, Messi expressed hope that the injury is not as serious as it initially appeared. In a statement to the press, he said, “I felt a sharp pain in my leg, but I am hopeful that it is nothing too serious. I will undergo further tests to determine the extent of the injury and hopefully be back on the field soon.”
Messi’s injury comes at a crucial time for Argentina, as they are gearing up for the upcoming Copa America tournament. The team is heavily reliant on Messi’s skill and leadership, and his absence could have a significant impact on their performance in the tournament.
Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting updates on Messi’s condition, hoping for good news regarding his recovery. The football world is holding its breath as they wait to see if one of the greatest players of all time will be able to recover in time for the Copa America.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality in sports, and professional athletes like Messi are no strangers to setbacks. However, Messi’s determination and resilience have been proven time and time again throughout his illustrious career. It is likely that he will do everything in his power to recover quickly and return to the field as soon as possible.
For now, all we can do is wait and hope for the best for Lionel Messi as he navigates this latest challenge in his career. His fans will undoubtedly be sending him their well wishes and positive thoughts as he works towards a speedy recovery.