How Argentina Won the Copa America Despite Messi's Health Issues

While Argentina’s victory over Chile in the group stage of the Copa America 2024 propelled Lionel Messi and his team into the quarterfinals, the match showed there were potential concerns over Messi's fitness that made both fans and coaches cautiously optimistic about him playing in upcoming games. Messi is now 37, and while his role was crucial for the 1-0 victory against Chile, he couldn't score for a second match in a row.

When Messi received treatment for apparent discomfort in his right groin in the 25th minute, it looked like the problem may linger. Messi finished the match, but fans were worried about whether he would be able to go on. He has a long injury history, including missing games due to similar issues.

Messi's health was very important for Argentina's success in Copa America and his team Inter Miami in the US. World Cup 2026 is also approaching, so maintaining his health and fitness is crucial for the Argentinians. This was shown when Messi came off the field midway through the second half of the Copa America final against Colombia due to an ankle injury. Scaloni emphasized that balancing player health with tactical necessity was very important, so the Argentina coach seemed to be planning on giving younger players more exposure on the grand stage during less critical matches. Such strategic decisions show how much of a professional Scaloni is and gave older players like Messi the chance to avoid unnecessary strain, leading Argentina to victory over Colombia.