Argentina's Scaloni Prioritizes Messi's Fitness for Copa America

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is taking no chances with star player Lionel Messi's game time ahead of the Copa America tournament, emphasizing that the priority is to ensure the player's fitness and well-being. Amid concerns over Messi's limited participation in recent matches, Scaloni explained that the decision to manage Messi's minutes is a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the player's health. The 36-year-old forward did not feature in the first half of Argentina's recent victory against Ecuador, with Scaloni opting to introduce Messi in the second half. This cautious approach comes in light of Messi's battle with injuries earlier in the year, which led to his absence from Argentina's friendlies in March. Scaloni's decision to prioritize the safety of his players, including Messi, reflects a strategic move to ensure they arrive at the Copa America in optimal condition. Messi, a legendary figure in Argentine football, boasts an impressive international career with 106 goals in 181 caps for his national team. Despite his age, Messi continues to showcase his talent, having scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists for his club, Inter Miami, this season. As Argentina gears up to defend their Copa America title, which they secured in 2021, Messi's presence remains crucial to their aspirations. With the tournament set to kick off on June 20, the pressure is on Scaloni to finalize his squad by June 12, with the coach needing to trim his provisional 29-man roster to meet the 26-player limit. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on Messi as he aims to lead Argentina to success once again, but with Scaloni's careful management, the focus is not only on winning the trophy but also on safeguarding the well-being of their star player. Scaloni's insistence on avoiding unnecessary risks with Messi's game time underscores the team's commitment to ensuring their talisman is in prime form for the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming tournament.