When Was The Last time Messi Missed a Copa América match?
The Argentine national team is closely monitoring the physical condition of Leo Messi, who finished last night with discomfort in his right adductor during the match against Chile and could miss his first Copa América match since 2016.
Messi felt discomfort in the second half of the victory against the Chilean national team and had to be treated on the sidelines, but he finished the match, even making a 50-meter run to join a counterattack with Ángel Di María and Lautaro Martínez.
Afterwards, the Argentine captain told the media that he felt discomfort in his adductor. "It was a bit of discomfort that became a little stiff, it wasn't completely loose, but I was able to finish the match and we'll see," he added.
With qualification for the quarterfinals confirmed and the coach Lionel Scaloni publicly expressing his desire to give minutes to those who haven't played against Peru in the last match of Group A, it is almost certain that the Argentine captain will be left out, which would be his first missed Copa América match since 2016.
It was on June 8, 2016, when the "10" did not play the first match of Group D of the Copa América Centenario, precisely against Chile, due to lumbar discomfort from a knock suffered in a friendly against Honduras days before.
Since then, Messi has participated in all the matches his national team has played in the Copa América: six matches in Brazil 2019, six in Brazil 2021, and the two of 2024.