Optimism reigns in Argentina as Messi took part in training session

Leo Messi did part of the training session with the squad at Argentina's national team practice in Miami before leaving for Houston, where they will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals of the Copa America 2024 next Thursday.

"We're going to take it day by day, depending on what the doctors tell us and how he feels," Walter Samuel, the Argentina coach who replaced the suspended Lionel Scaloni for the Peru game, said on Saturday, explaining how they were going to proceed with the captain, with the intention of getting him to the quarter-final.

So far, the sensations are good. After suffering pain in his adductor and receiving attention on the sidelines during the match against Chile on Tuesday last week, Messi rested four days later against Peru and, on Monday, he was able to take part in part of the practice.

"He did some kinesiology work before training and then joined the rest of the squad," the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said.

Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna, who has been carrying a muscle strain in his right thigh since the match against Chile, worked with a physiotherapist on the pitch, the AFA said.

Argentina left at 4pm (20:00 GMT) for Houston, where they will face Ecuador next Thursday in the quarter-finals of the Copa America in the United States.

 

July 1, 2024