After receiving treatment on his groin muscle during Argentina’s Copa América win over Chile, Lionel Messi admitted he was in some discomfort following the match on Tuesday.
Midway through the first half, an Argentina physio was seen massaging Messi’s upper right leg after the 37-year-old received a tough challenge.
Messi would be able to stay in the match, playing the full 90 minutes as Argentina clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory.
After the game, the Inter Miami star said he was optimistic that he avoided a serious problem, but admitted he was having some trouble during the match.
“In the first play, my adductor got hard. I didn’t feel a puncture or a tear, but I did find it difficult to move freely,” Messi told reporters after the game.
“Now I’m going to see,” he added. “The truth is it’s bothering me a little but I was able to finish the game, so I hope it’s nothing serious.”
With Messi set to undergo further examination, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni told a press conference that his superstar’s movements throughout the match made him confident that he didn’t suffer an injury.
“I didn’t speak with him after the game,” Scaloni said. “He ended up playing through (until the end of the game). You saw he had the 50-meter sprint there… and it’s the last image I have (in my head). I can’t say more because I haven’t seen him.”
TyC Sports reported that with Argentina safely through to the knockout stage, Messi could be rested on Saturday against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in his home city of Miami.
Scaloni said after Tuesday’s match that he was set to rotate his squad for the game against Peru.
“Against Peru, the guys who didn’t get minutes in these matches (Canada and Chile) will play,” Scaloni said.
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