5 Fringe Argentina Stars Who Could Play Against Peru, With Messi Likely to Miss Game Due to Injury

• Argentina are through to the quarter-final of the ongoing 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America after the 1-0 win over rivals Chile
• The defending champions have a maximum six points in Group A, having beaten Canada 2-0 in their opening fixture
• Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that the players who are yet to have minutes in the tournament will feature against Peru

Defending champions, Argentina, are through to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa America after picking maximum points with victories over Canada and Chile.

Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that the players who have yet to have minutes at this tournament will feature tomorrow, as he would like to assess them because they deserve it.

According to TyC Sports, captain Lionel Messi will be rested after playing most of the last game with a tight adductor muscle, while some other first-team stars will also start from the bench.

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Sports Brief looks at the fringe players who could get minutes tomorrow.

Fringe players who could feature for Argentina vs Peru

1. Nicolas Otamendi

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has displaced Otamendi in the first team. The veteran is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Cristian Romero, easing the load on Martinez, who was injured for most of last season.

2. Alejandro Garnacho

The Manchester United teenager was named in the Copa squad after being overlooked for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He is certain to get minutes against Peru in his first appearance at a major competition for his country.

3. Exequiel Palacios

Palacios featured 38 times in all competitions to help Bayer Leverkusen win their first-ever Bundesliga title last season. He is yet to feature in this competition, but with likely rest for Rodrigo De Paul, the midfielder should get minutes against Peru.

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4. Guido Rodriguez

Rodriguez was a regular during La Albiceleste’s triumph in the tournament three years ago in Brazil but has fallen down the pecking order. His form for Real Betis last season should earn him minutes against Peru. He is adept in defensive midfield.

5. Valentin Carboni

The teenager featured 31 times in the league last season to help AC Monza retain their Serie A status. According to beIN Sports, Messi tipped the 19-year-old to be the future of Argentina after he starred in the 4-1 win over Guatemala.

Messi's worrying fitness update

Sports Brief reported on Messi's fitness update after the hard-fought, physically intense 1-0 win over Chile to help Argentina progress to the Copa America quarter-final.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was on the end of some nasty challenges, one of which made him require treatment in the first half. He is expected to be rested for Saturday’s clash.