Lionel Messi experienced slight discomfort in his adductor during a rough physical game against Chile and later developed an injury to miss Argentina’s last Copa group game against Peru. Argentina’s assistant coach Walter Samuel told reporters that Messi’s situation is improving. But Samuel stressed Argentina needs to hear day-to-day updates from doctors to confirm that La Pulga is fit for the next game.

But now, an Argentina journalist has also confirmed that Messi’s feature in the Copa America quarterfinal against Ecuador is uncertain. Argentine reporter Gaston Edul said that people close to Lionel Messi think he would be available against Ecuador, via the X handle Albiceleste Talk.

But if Messi were to lace up against Ecuador, he would likely come off the bench. “What remains to be seen is whether he will start or come off the bench later, which I think is a real possibility. He might start on the bench and then come in,” said Gaston Edul. If the 8x Ballon d’Or winner was to start on the bench, it would be his first game in this Copa America as a substitute.

Lionel Messi played till the end against Chile even after receiving back-to-back abrasive tackles. Messi’s no-show against Peru marked the first time he failed to play the whole minutes in an international tournament’s group stage since 2019. Meanwhile, besides Argentina’s assistant coach, star forward Angel Di Maria also expects Messi to feature in the Copa America quarter-final.

However, Messi’s adductor woes are incredibly detrimental to the reigning Copa winners, as the same problem had forced him to miss a handful of Inter Miami games earlier this year.

Lionel Messi’s latest injury worsens his tryst with injuries, putting Argentina in jeopardy

Lionel Messi’s tryst with injuries started this year, when Inter Miami went on an elaborate pre-season tour. He missed a few pre-season games because of physical fatigue. Later in March, the Miami skipper took a knock to his hamstring and missed three straight matches at that time. Later in April, Messi would again flirt with an adductor problem and sit out for crucial matches.

Hence, if the same problem has returned for the 37-year-old after two matches, it is nerve-wracking for La Albiceleste. Indeed, Messi has not scored in the Copa till now. Yet, Argentina has thrived stylishly. However, the going will get tough for the World champions in the knockout stage and it remains to be seen how they will stand their ground without the skipper. Besides, even if Messi were to return soon and play in Argentina’s potential remaining games, the matches will be intensely physical.

Just like the Detroit Pistons’s ‘Jordan Rules,’ Argentina’s rivals will employ ‘Messi Rules’ to physically thwart the talisman from scoring. If that goes on, injuries will keep on haunting the 8x-Ballon d’Or winner.