Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina’s match against Peru. Here’s what coach Lionel Scaloni has done to replace him in the past few matches.Due to the unpleasant feeling in the match with Chile and because Argentina has entered the quarterfinals of Copa America 2024, Lionel Messi will not play against Peru next Sunday morning in Miami to close the group stage. While La Pulga is in the process of recovering for the next match, let’s consider the 5 most recent absences of the Inter Miami player from the Argentina team.
Messi missed the national team’s tour of the United States last March, when he was sidelined for 24 days with a muscle problem (hamstring) in his right leg. Argentina had no major problems against lower-level opponents like Guatemala (3-0) and Costa Rica (3-1). How did Scaloni replace him?
Messi had muscle discomfort in the match against Chile
First match lineup (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nehuen Perez, Romero, Tagliafico, Nico Gonzalez; De Paul, E. Fernandez, Paredes, Lo Celso; Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez.
Second match lineup, (4-3-3): W. Benitez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Lo Celso, Mac Allister, E. Fernandez; Di Maria, Alvarez and Garnacho.
In 2023, Messi was absent twice, one due to injury and the other because of the coach’s leave. He did not participate in the Asian tour, which won 2-0 against Indonesia (but was present in the 2-0 win over Australia). Argentina squad at that time (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Pezzella, Medina; Palacios, Paredes, Lo Celso; Buonanotte, Alvarez, N. Gonzalez.
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Then, in September, Messi was left out of the squad for the 3-0 win over Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in La Paz. He travelled with the team and even appeared on the bench, but did not enter the field due to injury. As a result, Argentina put in a great collective performance. Starting lineup (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Di Maria, Alvarez and N. Gonzalez.
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Meanwhile, Messi was absent twice in 2022. After 22 consecutive appearances, Messi, who was playing for PSG at the time, was not 100% fit, causing him to miss the matches against Chile and Colombia in the qualifiers, which were won 2-1 and 1-0. With a high-quality team, Scaloni chose a 4-3-3 formation to bring optimal results with Di Maria and L. Martinez in attack, rotating on the left wing (Ocampos and N. Gonzalez).
Lineup against Chile: Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, L. Martínez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Gomez; Di Maria, L. Martinez and N. Gonzalez.
Lineup against Colombia: Martinez; Montiel, L. Martinez, Pezzella, Acuna; Lo Celso, Rodriguez, Gomez; Di Maria, L. Martinez and Ocampos.
