Did Lionel Messi suffer an injury against Canada in the Copa America opener?
Argentina started the Copa America 2024 campaign in an emphatic fashion with a 2-0 victory over Canada. Team captain Lionel Messi broke the all-time record for most appearances at Copa America with 35.
The defending champions of South America played some fluid football against Jesse Marsch’s side who were participating in their first-ever Copa America tournament. Manchester City star Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 49th minute before Lautaro Martinez’s 88th-minute goal sealed a win for the 15-time champions.
Lionel Messi made his 35th appearance in Copa America overtaking Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone’s record of 34 appearances in the tournament. Surprisingly, Canada did give Argentina a run for their money and almost found a breakthrough just before the half-time whistle.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game. We knew that Canada was going to be a hard team to go against,” Messi told Fox via a translator.
“They were physical, very physical. In the first half, there was little space. It was intense, physically intense and strong and then in the second half we were able to progress and get better.”
Also Read: Argentina 2-0 Canada: Copa America 2024 key highlights as La Albiceleste gets off to a winning start
Did Lionel Messi sustain an injury?
Lionel Messi has been in sensational form for Inter Miami this season netting 12 goals in the last 12 matches for the Herons. But the Argentine skipper had a lackluster performance on the night as he took only three shots on target throughout the game.
Messi was closed to finding the back of the net in the 65th minute but his shot was saved by the opposition goalkeeper. Fans will be waiting to see how the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner gets back to his feet in the next game.
The Argentina national football team had an injury scare when their skipper went down in the 83rd minute after a slide tackle from Canada’s Moise Bombito. The medical staff had to treat Messi before he was given the green signal to continue.
The Inter Miami appeared to be in discomfort when an unsettling moment was caught on camera but seemed to have escaped a horrific injury.
Next up for Argentina is their match against Chile at MetLife Stadium on 26th June before they face Peru at Hard Rock Stadium on 30th June.
Also Read: A tactical preview for Argentina National Football Team playing in Copa America 2024