Scaloni reveals Messi played Copa America with a hamstring problem
Messi was the tournament's best player and top scorer as Argentina struck gold
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni revealed that Lionel Messi has played with a "hamstring problem" as the Albiceleste beat Brazil 1-0 to win the Copa America this weekend.
"If you knew the way that he played in the Copa America you'd love him even more," Scaloni told reporters after the 1-0 win at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
"You can never do without a player like him, even when he is not fully fit like in this game and the previous one."
It was Messi's first trophy with his national team but Scaloni says the connotations of that are irrelevant when it comes to the debate over the best player of all time.
"With Leo, nothing's going to change winning this, he still is and will be the best player ever," the coach added.
"He's tried so many times despite all the frustration and everything that's happened. He didn't throw in the towel and in the end he's achieved it.
"We have to admire him because a moment will come when he's no longer playing the game and then we're going to regret it."
Topics with the letter
