(Football news) Due to an injury he received in his nation’s second group match against Chile, Messi was unable to play in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Peru. Despite undergoing treatment for a thigh problem, the Inter Miami attacker was able to play the entire game and the team won 1-0.

After Argentina’s victory over Peru on Monday, Walter Samuel, the assistant coach, expressed optimism that Messi will recover in time for the quarterfinal.  

Scaloni comments on Messi availability

However, Scaloni, who will be back on the touchline following a one-match ban, has admitted that a decision is yet to be made over the extent of Messi’s involvement in Thursday’s meeting with Ecuador.

“We will train in a couple of hours, and then we will decide,” Scaloni said in his pre-match press conference. “One more day is always better, yesterday we had good sensations and today we will decide. Based on today’s answer, we will decide if Messi plays.”

“I haven’t spoken with him about the situation, I will talk to him today given it’s match day minus one. I thought it was fair that he took his time and trained as much as possible. After talking, we will decide. I haven’t talked to him, so we don’t know if he will play.”

Argentina’s all-time appearance holder and record goal scorer has never missed a Copa America knockout game since making his tournament debut in 2007.

Could Alvarez and Martinez start together?

While Argentina will make a late decision on Messi’s availability, Scaloni will have to decide whether to start both Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in the quarter-final clash.

Alvarez was given the nod for Argentina’s opening two group matches, before Martinez started against Peru following two successful substitute appearances.

The pair started together in the 1-0 win over Ecuador in a friendly last month, and it is an option that Scaloni will consider ahead of Thursday’s fixture.

“They’ve played together against this rival, and we will decide after today’s training,” Scaloni added. “They’ve worked well, and it’s an option. But we will see how everyone is today, especially Leo, and we will see.”

Alvarez has registered one at Copa America 2024, while Martinez is currently the tournament’s top scorer after netting four times in his three appearances.

Also read: Argentina will play Ecuador in the Copa America quarter finals