Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni considered resting Lionel Messi for MondayтАЩs Copa America clash against Paraguay but in the end, good sense prevailed as the Barcelona striker was once again a key man in their 1-0 win.
тАЬThe truth is that Messi has played in all our games and so it is very difficult not to rely on him,тАЭ Scaloni said after a hard-fought game in which Argentina scored early and then ceded more and more ground to a Paraguay side that could not turn their possession into goals.
тАЬWhat worries me is the physical condition of the players,тАЭ the coach added. тАЬThe conditions were not great to play in.тАЭ
Messi has been one of ArgentinaтАЩs most active players in their three Copa games so far.
He has played every minute and as usual never stopped looking for the ball. His 66 touches against Chile in their opener was a team high, as was his 78 against Uruguay along with Rodrigo De Paul.
Against Paraguay only defender Nahuel Molina touched the ball more.
The victory over Paraguay in Brasilia took Argentina through to the quarter-finals with a game to spare and Scaloni admitted the time might be right to rest his star man.
тАЬItтАЩs possible that we will rotate in the next game,тАЭ he said of next MondayтАЩs final group game against Bolivia. тАЬHaving qualified gives us some peace of mind. Now we can recharge our batteries and our strength.тАЭ
RECORD CAP
Messi got his 147th cap against Paraguay, tying the record held by Javier Mascherano.
The recognition comes at the end of an eventful season for a man who will turn 34 on Thursday.
He began the season opting to stay at Barcelona after saying he wanted to leave.
Exactly where he will be next season is not certain but one thing that is not in doubt is his status at the national side.
Messi has spoken openly about wanting to win a title with Argentina and add an international honour to the myriad baubles he picked up with his club.
Argentina have not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in 1993 and it is the one blank page on his otherwise unblemished CV.
They may fear a resurgent Brazil but they are enjoying a good spell тАУ MondayтАЩs game was their 16th without defeat тАУ and belief the drought may finally break is quietly building.
тАЬWe can see that the team is growing and taking shape,тАЭ said defender German Pezzella. тАЬWith the squad and the players we have we can be there or thereabouts.тАЭ
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
