After the game against Chile this morning (June 26, Argentina won 1-0), Messi said: “I have a sore throat and fever. Maybe this will affect my performance in today’s match. I encountered this situation after arriving at the Copa América in the past few days.”

“I hope it’s nothing serious. We still have a lot of games ahead of us, we still have a lot of travel left to compete in this year’s tournament. “I can’t allow myself to rest yet,” Messi added.

“I hope it’s nothing serious. We still have a lot of games ahead of us, we still have a lot of travel left to compete in this year’s tournament. “I can’t allow myself to rest yet,” Messi added.

In the match against Chile this morning, the player who won the Ballon d’Or eight times did not score a goal. This is the second consecutive match of the Copa América 2024 in which Messi does not score.

Furthermore, the forward and captain of the Argentine national team did not hide the fact that he was suffering from an injury to his adductor muscle. Precisely in the first half of the Argentina – Chile match this morning at MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA), Messi signaled to the Argentine medical team to treat him.

The medical staff of the current world and South American champions applied medications and massaged Messi’s thighs on the same field, at the time when the match was temporarily interrupted.

After learning the news that Messi was injured, coach Lionel Scaloni of the Argentine national team could not hide his concern. The strategist born in 1978 stated: “I have not yet spoken to Messi to find out how his situation is.”

“Until now I do not know the severity of the injury related to Messi. Immediately I will have some personnel changes in the Argentine team’s last game of the group stage, against Peru on June 30. Those who have not played before will have a chance,” Scaloni shared.

Currently, Argentina has a ticket to the quarterfinals, after two wins against Canada (2-0) and Chile (1-0). Messi and his teammates will surely occupy first place in Group A of the Copa América 2024.