Football

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has expressed optimism about a leg injury sustained during his team's 1-0 Copa America victory over Chile. The injury occurred when Messi was kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th minute of the match.Despite the discomfort, Messi remained on the field and played a crucial role in Argentina's triumph. He assisted Lautaro Martínez's 88th-minute goal, which secured the victory and a berth in the quarterfinals.After the match, Messi downplayed the severity of the injury, stating that it was "nothing serious." He added that it was bothering him slightly but did not hinder his ability to finish the game. Messi also revealed that he had been dealing with a sore throat and fever in recent days.Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed confidence in Messi's fitness, citing his ability to sprint half the length of the field late in the game. Scaloni plans to rest several starters in Argentina's final Group A match against Peru on Saturday.Argentina is currently atop Group A and will advance to the knockout stage unless they lose to Peru and Canada defeats Chile in a simultaneous match. Canada can overtake Argentina on goal difference.Messi's injury has raised concerns among fans and pundits, but the player himself remains optimistic. His determination and resilience are a testament to his unwavering commitment to his team and the sport.

Chelsea's season has taken a further blow with the news that midfielder Enzo Fernandez will miss the remainder of the campaign due to a groin injury. The 23-year-old Argentine underwent surgery on Thursday and will now begin a period of rehabilitation.Fernandez has been struggling with a hernia for several weeks and was unable to make an impact in Chelsea's 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal on Tuesday. The injury is a major setback for Chelsea, who have been hit by a wave of injuries this season.At times, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has had as many as 12 players unavailable, with his team languishing in ninth place as a result of their fitness and form issues. Their thrashing against Arsenal followed Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City at Wembley as the pressure mounts on Pochettino.Fernandez, signed from Benfica for a club-record fee of 107 million pounds ($133 million) in January 2023, has made 28 league appearances this term, scoring three goals. His absence will be a major blow to Chelsea's hopes of finishing in the top four and securing Champions League qualification."Enzo Fernandez has today undergone successful surgery on a groin issue and will now begin a period of rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of Chelsea's 2023/24 season," a club statement said."The 23-year-old midfielder will work with the club's medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham."Fernandez's injury is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Chelsea this season. N'Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Christian Pulisic have all missed significant periods of time through injury.With just six league games remaining, Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish are hanging by a thread. They are currently nine points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.

Sébastien Haller's return to Borussia Dortmund's starting lineup was cut short on Saturday due to an ankle injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid.Haller, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, made his first Bundesliga start since September in Dortmund's match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, his comeback was short-lived as he twisted his left leg in a tackle just two minutes into the game.The Ivory Coast forward received treatment on the field before being replaced by Youssoufa Moukoko. The extent of Haller's injury is yet to be determined, but it is a major blow to Dortmund's hopes of progressing in the Champions League.Haller's injury woes have plagued his season since joining Dortmund from Ajax Amsterdam last summer. He missed the first half of the campaign after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and has struggled to regain full fitness since returning to action.Despite his injury setbacks, Haller has shown his importance to Dortmund, scoring a crucial late goal in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Atlético Madrid. His absence would be a significant loss for the German club as they look to overturn a 2-1 deficit in the second leg on Tuesday.Adding to Dortmund's injury concerns, English forward Jamie Bynoe-Gittens also left the field with a back problem. Coach Edin Terzić expressed optimism about Bynoe-Gittens' availability for the Atlético match, but Haller's participation remains in doubt.

England's captain, Harry Kane, will miss the upcoming friendly match against Brazil on Saturday due to an ankle injury sustained during Bayern Munich's victory over Darmstadt last weekend. Kane's absence extends to the potential match against Belgium next week, leaving him "extremely doubtful" for participation.The injury setback comes at a crucial time for Kane, as England manager Gareth Southgate prepares to announce his squad for Euro 2024 in June. However, Kane remains confident in his place on the team despite the injury.Other notable absentees from the England squad include Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, who are also sidelined with injuries. Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka withdrew from the squad on Thursday due to an injury.Southgate expressed concern over Kane's injury, stating that he would be "extremely doubtful" for the Belgium match. However, he acknowledged the opportunity for Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to prove their worth as potential understudies to Kane at the Euros.Watkins has scored three goals in nine international appearances, while Toney made his England debut as a substitute against Ukraine last year. Southgate emphasized the importance of versatility in his squad, hinting at the possibility of selecting players who can fulfill multiple roles.Despite the absences, England remain favorites to defeat Brazil in their first match under new head coach Dorival Junior. The Selecao have won 10 of their last 11 friendlies against European opposition but will be eager to avoid a fourth consecutive loss since 2001.Southgate acknowledged England's poor record against Brazil but expressed confidence in his team's ability to create history and test themselves against a formidable opponent.

Manchester City's title hopes have been dealt a significant blow with the news that goalkeeper Ederson is set to miss a crucial clash against Arsenal in the Premier League title race due to a thigh injury. The Brazilian goalkeeper sustained the injury during City's 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday, when he conceded a penalty after colliding with Darwin Nunez. Ederson remained on the field for the resulting spot-kick, which Alexis Mac Allister scored to cancel out John Stones' opener, but was forced to be substituted soon after by Stefan Ortega.The injury is a major setback for City, who are just one point behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League standings. The Gunners travel to the Etihad Stadium on March 31, and Ederson's absence will be a significant boost to Mikel Arteta's side.Ederson is also set to miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at home to Newcastle and Brazil's upcoming international friendlies against England and Spain. The injury is expected to keep him out for up to a month, which means he could also miss City's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich on April 5.Stefan Ortega, who replaced Ederson against Liverpool, is expected to start in goal for City in the coming weeks. The German goalkeeper has impressed since joining City from Arminia Bielefeld in the summer, and he will be keen to prove his worth in Ederson's absence.City will be hoping that Ederson can return to action as soon as possible, as they face a crucial period in their season. The Premier League title race is finely poised, and City will need to be at their best to overcome Arsenal's challenge. They will also be hoping to make a deep run in the Champions League, and Ederson's experience and quality will be vital if they are to achieve their goals.

Liverpool's injury woes have taken a significant turn for the worse, with manager Jurgen Klopp confirming that forward Diogo Jota will be sidelined for months due to a knee injury. The Portuguese international sustained the injury during the first half of Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.Klopp delivered the disheartening news ahead of Liverpool's home match against Luton on Wednesday, stating, "We have Diogo with a knee issue ruled out — it will obviously take months." This development casts a shadow over Jota's participation in the upcoming European Championship in Germany, scheduled to begin in June.The injury crisis at Liverpool has reached alarming proportions, with nine senior players currently unavailable for selection. This situation couldn't have come at a worse time, as the club faces a crucial period in the season, including the English League Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday.Klopp refrained from providing a specific return date for injured duo Curtis Jones and Alisson Becker, while describing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai as "longer-term" concerns. Additionally, striker Darwin Nunez was substituted at halftime against Brentford as a precautionary measure.The mounting injuries have left Klopp with a depleted squad, making it challenging to navigate the demanding schedule ahead. Liverpool's title hopes in the Premier League have already suffered a setback, and they will need to find a way to cope with the absence of key players if they want to salvage their season.