Copa America: Argentina Coach Hints at Major Squad Reshuffle Amid Lionel Messi’s Injury Concerns

• Argentina are through to the knockout stages of the ongoing 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America after beating Chile
• The defending points have six maximum points from two games after also beating Canada in their opening game
• Head coach Lionel Scaloni plans to give minutes to fringe players, with Lionel Messi likely to miss due to injury concerns

Argentina have reached the knockout stage of the 2024 Copa America, which gives Lionel Scaloni the luxury of heavily rotating his team for the final match against Peru.

The defending champions recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chile, thanks to Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, who scored the only goal in the 87th minute.

They need at least a draw against Peru in their third match to finish as Group A winners or hope Canada does not beat Chile with at least five goals in the other fixture.

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Scaloni plans to reshuffle Argentina’s squad

Scaloni confirmed after the win over Chile that the team will have a new look when they take on Peru at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, with qualification already secured.

"The boys who were not in these two matches will play [in the next game] because I need to see them, and they also deserve it,” he told TyC Sports.

Effects of Messi's possible absence

Team captain Lionel Messi is not expected to feature at all. He finished the match against Chile with a muscle problem, and it will be best to rest him for the knockout stages.

His likely absence is already causing a stir among fans. According to beIN Sport, fans are hesitant to purchase tickets because the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner may not play.

It is unlikely that the stadium will be filled, and with rising prices on Ticketmaster, which have reached around $2,400, fans are unwilling to pay that much not to see Messi.

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What Lionel Messi said about his injury

Sports Brief reported on Messi providing an injury update on himself despite playing the entire 90 minutes in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Chile in the second group game.

The captain made a worrying statement after admitting that the injury bothers him a bit and that it is a fresh issue, not in places where he had previously been injured.