BTN News: Everyone is wondering if Lionel Messi will play in Argentina’s Thursday match against Ecuador in the Copa América. The star player and captain of the defending champions is dealing with a thigh injury. Coach Lionel Scaloni has not given a clear answer yet but is hopeful that Messi will play in Houston.
Update on Messi’s Injury and His Chances of Playing
Messi hurt his right thigh muscle during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile in the group stage. This injury kept him from playing in the 2-0 win against Peru. The 37-year-old player has shown good signs of recovery. He trained with his teammates on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Scaloni feels positive and said, “We had good feelings yesterday (Tuesday) and will use today to finalize the team. Based on today’s response, we will decide.” He also said, “It changes things if Leo doesn’t play. We will try to have him, and if not, find the best solution for the team.”
Historical Rivalry Between Argentina and Ecuador in Copa América
Ecuador has never beaten Argentina in the 16 times they have played in Copa América. Argentina has 11 wins and five draws. Ecuador’s coach, Félix Sánchez Bas, said, “Messi is a special player. We have played against them with and without him; their game plan doesn’t change. We must be ready for both situations and aim to stop him from playing well.”
Ecuador had a tough path to the quarterfinals. They recovered from a 2-1 loss to Venezuela, where their top scorer, Enner Valencia, was sent off. Valencia said, “Without a doubt, this is the most important match of my career. It’s in our minds and bodies; there is no tomorrow, just this game.”
Argentina’s Plans and Possible Team Lineup for the Match
Argentina is expected to control the game at the NRG Stadium. Ecuador will likely use counterattacks. Argentine forward Lautaro Martínez, who scored four of Argentina’s five goals in the group stage, noted the challenge of breaking down defensive teams. “We have to analyze how they play against us,” Martínez said. “All three teams we faced used a five-man defense. The matches will be like this; we need to try harder.”
Scaloni is thinking about using two strikers, Lautaro and Julián Álvarez. He said, “It’s possible. They played together against this opponent before… Nothing is ruled out because they played well, and it’s an option. Lautaro is in great form; he took his chance, and I’m happy.”
Conclusion
The excitement around Messi’s possible return adds a lot of interest to the Copa América quarterfinals. Whether he starts or not, Argentina is getting ready for a tough match against a determined Ecuador team. Fans all over the world are excited to see if Messi can lead his team to another win, adding to his legendary status in football.
