Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed that Lionel Messi’s minutes will be managed in Copa América warmups. The La Albiceleste will play against Ecuador at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday in a friendly and Scaloni suggested that the talisman might play as a substitute.

“People will be able to see Messi tomorrow. He will surely play for a while. We are going to think carefully about the minutes that each one will have to be healthy for the debut,” Scaloni said in his pre-match news conference.

“Messi I imagine he will play, I don’t know if the whole game, 30 minutes, 60, whatever. But people are going for it to be able to see what is the most important thing.”

Messi’s last appearance for the national team came when he played as a substitute on Oct. 12, 2023, coming off the bench in the 1-0 victory against Paraguay at the Estadio Monumental in Argentina.

If Messi starts as a substitute, Scaloni can play Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez at the front. Scaloni said he hasn’t yet finalized the playing XI.

“I still don’t have the team, especially because I have to evaluate the six changes we have to make,” said Scaloni, who guided Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup.

Scaloni revealed that defender Germán Pezzella is not fit and his condition will assessed on Monday.

“German Pezzella couldn’t train this week. On Monday, we will evaluate his situation.”

Argentina will begin their Copa America title defense against Canada on June 20. Scaloni is also yet to confirm Argentina’s 26-man squad for the Continental tournament.