Lionel Messi on the bench
Seeing Lionel Messi on the bench is strange. Especially when it comes to a Eliminatory match, in Buenos Aires, in front of the support of his people. With the victory against Paraguay, Argentina focuses on its next challenge: Peru in Lima. Will 'Leo' be there?
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Messi is experiencing physical problems. With Inter Miami he barely had action and against Paraguay he played 37 minutes. The scar on the hamstring of the right leg does not allow him to shine on the field and Lionel Scaloni was clear: "we will go step by step". The coach does not want to risk his captain.
"This is the glass as you want to see it: maybe he plays 70', 80' or 90' against Paraguay and then with Peru nothing or completes both matches", expressed the Argentina coach prior to his match for the 3rd round of the Eliminatory.
Messi also spoke about his injury. The Argentine star indicated that he felt good on the field, he did not want to anticipate if he will be with the Argentina delegation that will come to Lima to face Peru.
"I felt good, I was able to train, minutes. I have been out for a while, but I felt good and I hope to continue training hard these days to keep finding good sensations", Messi pointed out.
Will Lionel Messi come to Lima to face Peru?
Argentine media indicate that Lionel Messi is progressing favorably. The minutes he played against Paraguay are proof of this, and they consider that he will play against Peru.
"It was risky for him to play more than usual. We talked about it and we agreed on that. It was prudent to do so because we run the risk of having a problem and that is not the case, especially considering the level that the team showed", Scaloni expressed after the match against Paraguay.
When will Peru play against Argentina?
The match between Peru and Argentina will take place on Tuesday, October 17th at 9:00 PM (local time) and 11:00 PM (Argentina time) at the Estadio Nacional.