Lionel Messi Injured Again, Becomes A Langganan Target Of Opponents In The Copa America

Lionel Messi, Argentina captain, surrounded by opposing defenders (photo: x @AFASeleccionEN)

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi, Argentina captain is again subjected to harsh treatment in international matches. Messi knows that when playing for Argentina in international competitions, especially against opponents from CONMEBOL, his feet will be targeted.

Football in South America has a touch of extra violence, and in the Copa America it has been proven on two occasions.

If in the opening game, Canadian Moise Bombito catches Argentina's captain in a tough tackle that went viral immediately against Chile, it was Gabriel Suazo's turn to give him a message that he would suffer throughout the game.

In the 24th minute, Messi suffered a hard impact from his opponent in a knee-to-rally collision that made the medical assistants have to take care of the number 10 player. He received massages in an injured area, an analgesic cream, and continued to play... but with a head that was already thinking about his discomfort.

"I don't feel completely free, I think too much about my feet and we will see how conditions are in the next few days," he said at the mixed zone, hinting that he could rest for a third group game against Peru as Argentina had already qualified for the quarter-finals.

Messi admits that he has felt a bit of discomfort in his abductor since the start of the match and is considering resting in the third round of the group, taking advantage of the fact that 'Albiceleste' has qualified for the quarter-finals after two wins.

In addition, Lionel Messi is also in the spotlight because of his security guard at the Copa America which is equivalent to a music celebrity like Taylor Swift. After the game against Chile at Meadowlands Stadium, New Jersey, Messi was surrounded by up to six police officers who always kept him safe, creating a very interesting sight and immediately went viral.

Messi continues to serve several groups of Argentine and international journalists from television, radio, and online media with patience as usual, while his security team escorts him through corridors, reminding police escorts usually given to famous music stars such as Taylor Swift.

Let's look forward to further developments regarding Messi's condition and whether he will appear in the next match or choose to rest for fitness in the knockout phase.