Lionel Messi Overcomes Injury Fear in Thrilling Copa America Quarterfinal

Argentine football star Lionel Messi opened up about his struggles with an injury that left him training "with fear" before the crucial Copa America quarterfinal match against Ecuador. The 37-year-old forward had missed Argentina's final group match against Peru due to reported pain from the previous game against Chile. Despite battling uncertainty and fear during his preparations for the game, Messi managed to lead his team on the field for the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Ecuador. Reflecting on the match, Messi admitted it was tough but emphasized the importance of securing the victory, especially against a strong opponent like Ecuador. In a dramatic turn of events during the match, Messi's penalty shot hit the crossbar, but his teammate Emi Martinez's heroics in goal secured a 4-2 win for Argentina in the shootout. Messi acknowledged the challenges posed by Ecuador, praising their intensity, dynamic style of play, and ability to cause damage when in possession of the ball. Commenting on the playing conditions at Houston's NRG Stadium, Messi highlighted the impact of the pitch quality on the game, noting that the pitches at the Copa America have not been ideal. He compared the conditions to previous matches in New York and Miami, expressing a preference for the latter's playing surface. Looking ahead, Messi's Argentina is set to face either Venezuela or Canada in the Copa America semi-final at MetLife Stadium next Tuesday. As the tournament progresses, Messi and his teammates will continue to navigate challenges on and off the pitch in pursuit of the coveted Copa America title.