Argentina returns to action in just a few hours for their Copa America Matchday 3 against Peru. This marks the final group-stage fixture as La Albiceleste will look to end Group A with a perfect record of three wins. As the moment of kick-off at the Hard Rock Stadium nears, a question looms about whether Lionel Messi will play tonight.

Well, to break the ice, Lionel Messi won’t be playing against Peru today. The Argentinian superstar is expected to be given a rest by Lionel Scaloni for today’s match. Even if his presence is required on the pitch, which most likely won’t be, the 37-year-old may start from the bench if needed. Interestingly, Scaloni had hinted that against Peru, “the guys who didn’t get minutes” against Canada and Chile will get a chance to make their case for the knockout stages.

This means that Messi, along with many other big names, will sit out the whole game. After all, win, lose, or draw against Peru, nothing can stop Argentina from making it to the quarter-finals. It’s not that the Inter Miami star is injured, but he will get the necessary rest. Notably, he gave an injury scare in the previous fixture after being subjected to a challenge from Chile’s Gabriel Suazo on his right leg adductor, causing him discomfort.

Despite receiving medical attention on the pitch and being able to play the full match, Messi underwent several post-match examinations using an ultrasound machine. Fortunately, nothing was found, and it did not reveal any muscle injury in Messi. So despite being fit, he will now play directly in the quarter-finals, unless, of course, he is summoned. While his absence is confirmed, the question remains: can Argentina be trusted without him?

Does Argentina have what it takes to win Copa America without Lionel Messi?

Earlier, ESPN FC pundit Alejandro Moreno asserted that Lionel Scaloni and Co. could manage to win their 16th Copa America title without Messi. When asked if the World Champions could win if Messi remained absent due to injury, he said, “They can, but obviously it’s not nearly as likely as with Lionel Messi on the field,” indicating that while the chances are slim, they still have what it takes to win without him.

Remarkably, after the match against Chile, Lionel Messi revealed that he played with a sore throat and fever. The skipper also remarked, “I felt discomfort in my right hamstring at the beginning of the game. It was tight…wasn’t as loose as it should have been. But I was able to finish the game.” Of course, Messi, who turned 37 just days ago, is showing signs of being injury-prone and getting fatigued quickly.

Regardless, it’s advised that Lionel Messi should rest now so that in the later stages of the tournament, he can be at his best to deliver for Argentina.