With Lionel Messi's injury at this year's Copa America being a major topic of discussion, Argentina's head coach has given an update on his fitness heading into their semi-final clash.
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Before the Albiceleste's quarter-final clash against Ecuador, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was a major doubt to play in the match due to an apparent thigh problem.
The Rosario native would end up playing the entire 90 minutes, and now with an important encounter against Canada on the horizon, Lionel Scaloni has issued a fresh update regarding the wellness of his captain.
"99% of the time, [Messi] is fit to play," the 46-year-old said, as per Goal.
"It's never happened to me that he's not fit to play. Every time he's come out on the pitch, he's fit to play. For [Canada], he's fit to play, without a doubt.
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"It's a very easy decision for me, because it's a very frank decision, that if he's fine, he plays; and if he's not fine, he plays the last 30 minutes. It's that easy.
"When he's fit, he always plays. There are no doubts. Who would have any doubts? I'm the coach, so I have no doubts.
"I'm the one who decides and when I see that he's fit to play, even if he's not 100% fit, he's going to play.
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"I take responsibility for that, but I have no doubts. It's true that that won't ever weigh on me, I know what he can give us even if he's not in optimal condition, I wouldn't make the grave mistake of not putting him on the pitch knowing that he gives us a lot, so that's indisputable."
