Copa America : Argentina Coach Gives Update On Messi’s Fitness Ahead Of Canada Clash

Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has insisted Lionel Messi will be fit for their Copa America semi-final against Canada.

Scaloni, speaking to reporters said there is “no doubt” about Messi’s availability.

According to him, he will always pick the 37-year-old, even when not quite fully fit.

Messi was an injury doubt for the quarter-final clash against Ecuador due to a thigh injury.

But he was able to play 90 minutes in the game, although he missed a penalty during the shoot-out to decide the game.

Scaloni said: “99% of the time, [Messi] is fit to play. It’s never happened to me that he’s not fit to play. Every time he’s come out on the pitch, he’s fit to play.

“For [Canada], he’s fit to play, without a doubt. It’s a very easy decision for me, because it’s a very frank decision, that if he’s fine, he plays; and if he’s not fine, he plays the last 30 minutes. It’s that easy.

“When he’s fit, he always plays. There are no doubts.”

Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has insisted Lionel Messi will be fit for their Copa America semi-final against Canada.

Scaloni, speaking to reporters said there is “no doubt” about Messi’s availability.

According to him, he will always pick the 37-year-old, even when not quite fully fit.

Messi was an injury doubt for the quarter-final clash against Ecuador due to a thigh injury.

But he was able to play 90 minutes in the game, although he missed a penalty during the shoot-out to decide the game.

Scaloni said: “99% of the time, [Messi] is fit to play. It’s never happened to me that he’s not fit to play. Every time he’s come out on the pitch, he’s fit to play.

“For [Canada], he’s fit to play, without a doubt. It’s a very easy decision for me, because it’s a very frank decision, that if he’s fine, he plays; and if he’s not fine, he plays the last 30 minutes. It’s that easy.

“When he’s fit, he always plays. There are no doubts.”