After injuring his back in last week’s 1-0 friendly win over Honduras, Lionel Messi gave La Albiceleste manager Gerard Martino plenty of reasons to concern as they try to end their summer title woes. Luckily for Argentina, the injury to Messi does not appear to be serious-enough to force him out of the whole Copa America Centenario tournament – but he isn’t out of the woods yet.
According to FOX Sports via La Nacion, Messi has been described as “day-to-day” by Martino but is still in doubt for Argentina’s Copa America opener against bitter-rival Chile.
“Messi is better, he has less pain. His recovery is day-to-day, there are various treatments for this type of hit,” Martino said.
“When you have less discomfort in the region, you can have massages that can help to alleviate the pain.”
Messi has already expressed his determination to win the tournament in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The White and Sky Blue have not won a major international tournament since the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Chile defeated Argentina in the 2015 Copa America Final. The summer before, Argentina lost to Germany in the FIFA World Cup.
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