Copa America: ‘Motivated’ Lionel Messi ready to put stamp on Argentina

Lionel Messi will return to the fold on Friday night when Argentina take on pesky Panama with a chance to book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi shown during a training session for Argentina last week during the 2016 Copa America tournament in the United States. Tony Avelar / AFP / June 3, 2016

UAE times:

Chile v Bolivia, 3am

Argentina v Panama, 5.30am

Group D: Argentina 3pts (plus-1); Panama 3pts (plus-1); Bolivia 0pts (minus-1); Chile 0pts (minus-1)

Lionel Messi is ready to play again. At a key moment, too.

Messi is set to return from a back injury when Argentina take on Panama in the Copa America on Friday night at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

“He has been training without any issues, no need of doing anything special and so he is playing tomorrow,” manager Gerardo Martino said Thursday. “He started training with the team since yesterday. He managed to do it without any pain, any problems, so there’s not a reason for him not to play.”

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Messi departed in the second half of a 1-0 victory against Honduras on May 27 with a back and rib injury. The five-time Fifa World Player of the Year watched as top-ranked Argentina beat Chile 2-1 on Monday night.

Messi has stayed mostly quiet about his status. He said Tuesday on his Facebook page that he hoped to be back to help the team as soon as possible.

“He’s doing well. He’s very motivated. ... The conditions to which he is coming back to the team are ideal,” Martino said through an interpreter.

A winner in Friday night’s match would be in firm control of Group D of the South American championship, expanded this year with more teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) for a special ‘Centenario’ 100th anniversary edition.

Blas Perez scored two goals, including the winner in the 87th minute, as Panama beat Bolivia 2-1 on Monday to become the first non-Conmebol team to win their Copa America debut.

“This would be a completely different match after Chile,” Martino said. “Panama, playing deep in their half, could be dangerous on the counter-attacks and exploiting spaces. They will consider that they don’t have anything to lose. They accomplished the goal of winning their first match. They know they have a nice opportunity ahead of them.”

Messi has not won any major senior trophy since joining the national team in 2005. He cheered from the bench as Angel Di Maria scored and set up Ever Banega’s goal in the victory over Chile.

Di Maria decided to stay with the team after his grandmother passed away before the opener.

“Those are tough spots,” Martino said. “And each one tries to do the best they can to handle them.”

Messi's return comes one week after his tax fraud trial concluded in Spain. The Barcelona star, who turns 29 on June 24, testified last Thursday and joined the national team the next day.

Argentina lost 4-1 to Chile in a penalty shootout in the 2015 Copa America final. They have won the tournament 14 times since 1921.

In Friday’s other contest, 2015 Copa America winners Chile will look to put their title defence back on track after the opening loss to Argentina. They play Bolivia, who last won the tournament in 1963 and reached the final in 1997.

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