Lionel Messi status uncertain for Argentina's Copa quarter - ESPN

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi's status for its Copa América quarterfinal against Ecuador on Thursday is unclear, with the lineup to be determined after the evening training session.

«We will train in a couple hours, and then we will decide. One more day is always better, yesterday we had good sensations and today we will decide. Based on today's answer, we will decide if Messi plays,» he said in the match day -1 news conference.

Messi did not play in Argentina's final group stage match — a 2-0 win over Peru on June 29 — due to a right leg injury sustained in its 1-0 defeat of Chile. His status was described as «day to day» before returning to training earlier this week.

Scaloni expects to have an individual conversation with Messi after the last session before the match to further understand his physical status.

«I haven't spoken with him about the situation, I will talk to him today given it's match day -1,» Scaloni said. «I thought it was fair that he took his time and train as much as possible. After talking, we will decide. I haven't talked to him, so we don't know if he will play.»

Though Scaloni is not sure how his team will line up against Ecuador, he maintained the decision to start certain offensive players over others will not be impacted by the presence of Messi.

«It's never been that way. It alters when Leo doesn't play, it alters everyone, not just me,» Scaloni said. «We will try for him to be there, and if not we will find the best for the team. He's game by game, and the team will conform to the rival.»

Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez previously played together when the team faced Ecuador in a pre-Copa America friendly on June 9, leading the way in a 1-0 win as Messi watched from