As per coach Scaloni, Messi is fit to play against Canada in the Copa America semifinal

Notwithstanding his hamstring injury concerns, Argentina captain Lionel Messi will be able to play in Tuesday’s Copa America semi-final in New Jersey against Canada, according to coach Lionel Scaloni.

After missing the final group-stage match due to injury, Messi made a comeback on Thursday in Argentina’s quarterfinal victory over Ecuador. Though physically handicapped, he appeared to play the entire game.

In the shootout that ended the match at Houston’s NRG Stadium, the 37-year-old Inter Miami midfielder missed a penalty.

Before the semi-final play at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Scaloni gave a news conference statement that said, “Leo (Messi) is fine, he finished well, so tomorrow he will be part of the match, we are calm.” “He appears to be at a decent level. For us, he is indispensable.”

After the opening Group A encounter, in which the reigning champions defeated the CONCACAF team 2-0, Argentina and Canada will play each other again in the tournament.

This time, according to Scaloni and his Canadian counterpart Jesse Marsch, they plan to attempt “something different”.

“To fix errors and hurt our opponents, all coaches take notes,” the 46-year-old manager declared. Every coach will need to implement a unique strategy. We’ll make an effort to get possession of the ball and disrupt them as they play.”

After defeating Venezuela in a penalty shootout, the Argentine manager continued, saying that his team will try to counteract their muscular and aggressive style of play.

“Canada has players who are physically strong and also technically good, with a coach who has conveyed an aggressive way of playing,” he explained.

“They have complicated matters for every team. It’s challenging to equal them physically, but with our advantages, we want to win the match.”