World Cup power rankings: Brazil & Belgium have big problems!

Hit or miss? 25 most expensive transfers of the 21st century

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Online Soccer Betting: Our 2024 Guide

Six stars City should target to cure Pep's biggest headache

'Embarrassing!' - Fans cringe as Rooney to star in Wrexham-style doc

Neymar told he’s ‘same level as Messi’ but ‘ruined career’

Hungary vs Germany Predictions: Hosts to fall to leaders

China vs Japan: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Man Utd man 'very down' after picking up another injury

Felix dazzles but Ronaldo-less Portugal lack finishers

How England should line up once Tuchel takes charge

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Netherlands Predictions: Early Dutch domination 

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>All-time great nursing thigh complaint</li><li>Sat out final game of the group stage</li><li>Big selection decision will not be rushed</li></ul>

Will Lionel Messi be fit for Copa America quarter-final? Injury update on Inter Miami superstar as Argentina prepare to face Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Houston

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part in a final group stage outing against Peru as he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-lionel-messi-play-copa-america-quarter-finals-argentina-deliver-crucial-update-talismanic-captain-out-peru-victory-injury/bltc1e736f2a8ef49de" target="_blank">nurses a thigh complaint</a>. With maximum points already on the board, and there plenty of depth in Lionel Scaloni’s squad, no risks were taken on <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-lionel-messi-luis-suarez-jordi-alba-run-three-straight-mls-wins-without-superstar-forwards/bltc4acf2b095dea23f" target="_blank">the Inter Miami superstar</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Albiceleste are now <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-argentina-conor-mcgregor-backing-ufc-icon-365k-copa-america-bet-wager-cristiano-ronaldo-euro-2024-doomed/bltdaa291c4c6813269" target="_blank">preparing for a last-eight showdown at NRG Stadium in Houston</a>, with questions still being asked of whether their talismanic captain will be available in Texas. Messi is being given every opportunity to put himself in contention.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Scaloni has said when asked for an update on Messi’s fitness: “We’re going to wait a bit more. We have another training session and more time to evaluate is best. We feel good about it though. We’ll make a decision based on what we see. I haven’t spoken to Leo about his situation yet. I’ll do that with him. It’s only fair for him to take his time and train as much as he can. We’ll make that decision then. I haven’t spoken to Leo about his status so I can’t make a decision.”

WHAT SCALONI SAID

Scaloni added when asked if Messi’s presence will <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/argentina-player-ratings-peru-lautaro-martinez-lionel-messi-copa-america/blt96708b295cf5857f" target="_blank">impact Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez</a>, who have been paired together: “Leo has played with both Julian and Lautaro. Nothing changes. Things change when Leo doesn’t play. That’s the reality. Everyone knows that. We’ll do our best for him to play. If he can’t, we’ll find the best solutions for the team. We have to go game by game. The team will adjust based on the opponent.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi has already sat out six games for Inter Miami this season due to muscle problems, with those knocks also preventing him from figuring in two friendly dates for Argentina in March. The 37-year-old is yet to find the target at the 2024 Copa America, but has 108 international goals to his name through 184 appearances.

WHAT NEXT?

Will Lionel Messi be fit for Copa America quarter-final? Injury update on Inter Miami superstar as Argentina prepare to face Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Houston | Goal.com Australia

Argentina are still sweating on Lionel Messi’s fitness ahead of a Copa America quarter-final with Ecuador, as an injury update is delivered.