Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters he did not yet know the fitness of Lionel Messi – but pointed to the fact the 37-year-old had disrupted his side’s 1-0 win over Chile by running 50 metres to join the attack in the dying minutes.
Messi fell victim to some misplay in Monday’s game and injured his upper right leg midway through the first half. Messi finished the game but has already missed six games this MLS season because of the muscle injury.
However, Scaloni played down concerns over Messi’s fitness after the 1-0 win.
He said: “I didn’t speak to him after the game. He kept playing but kept playing.”
“You saw him take part in the 50-metre race with Angel (Di Maria) and Lautaro (Martinez), and that’s the last image that stays in my mind. I can’t say more than that because I haven’t seen him.”
Scaloni said it was a “well-deserved victory” for Argentina, who have already reached the Copa America knockout stage as Group A winners with one game to spare.
He said: “I would say it was a good win. The truth is the game wasn’t easy, and I would say it was won at the least expected moment, because the game was ending.
“But, as always, the team kept trying, kept attacking. In the last few days, the first 12 players started to open up a bit more. I think the win was deserved, because Argentina did their best, but they (Chile) were a very tough opponent. Chile played brilliantly.
“Ricardo (Gareca) is doing a great job (with the team) and, as we always say – in the end, no game is easy.”
