“I imagine Messi will play tomorrow (June 10). I don’t know if it will be 45 minutes or 60 minutes, but everyone will be able to see Messi on the field. We also have to calculate how much Messi will play minutes in 2 preparation matches, to get ready for the opening match at Copa America”, coach Scaloni said, in a press conference on June 9 before the Argentina team started the momentum process for Copa America after more than a week. Practicing in Miami City (USA).
To prepare for the journey to defend the Copa America championship, the Argentine team arrived in Miami City from June 3 and practiced at the training center of Inter Miami Club, where famous player Messi is playing.
The Argentine team will play 2 friendly matches, including against the Ecuador team and then the match against the Guatemala team at 7:00 a.m. on June 15 in Landover City, Maryland (USA). After these matches, they will return to Miami City to continue training to prepare for their debut at Copa America.
The fact that the Argentine team chose Miami City as their base throughout the Copa America campaign made Messi very comfortable. He revealed: “During the past week, we didn’t feel too stressed before a big tournament like before. I was still able to go home to have dinner with my family, play with my children, rest and relax. The next morning, they went to the training site very close to home. The same happened to the other players. They brought their whole families to America, they could rent a house or stay at a friend’s house here, and after training sessions they could return to their families. Or do other things without having to worry much.”
“However, before the matches, we will have to stay at home. Starting this weekend, the players will only stay at the hotel, move and live according to the team’s rules. This is also not the case. It’s too difficult, because we are used to living like that from Copa America 2021 or at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar”, Messi shared in a recent interview with journalist Pollo Alvarez of Infobae .
Meanwhile, Coach Scaloni once again confirmed that he only guaranteed Messi’s official spot and position in the Argentina team for the Copa America. “I have not yet confirmed 100% of the squad for the Copa America, except for Messi’s position or maybe Di Maria, who are also the captain and vice-captain of the team respectively. I need to evaluate further, especially Because I have to evaluate the positions that can be replaced to make changes. Based on that, we will evaluate the entire squad and make decisions on choosing appropriate personnel”, coach Scaloni emphasized. strong.
The Argentine team currently has 29 players summoned to the Copa America. Coach Scaloni will have to eliminate 3 players after 2 friendly matches with Ecuador and Guatemala to keep 26 official players 1 week before the tournament’s opening day.
In the Copa America group stage, the Argentina team (located in Group A) plays the opening match and opens the tournament against the Canadian team at 7:00 a.m. on June 21 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Next is the match against Chile at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey at 8:00 a.m. on June 26 and the match against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida at 7:00 a.m. on June 30.
