Football
Doug McIntyre, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Leo Messi in same form for Argentina as for Barcelona - Gerardo Martino

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Argentina manager Gerardo Martino says Lionel Messi's play for the Albiceleste during the Copa America Centenario has been on par with the level he shows for club team Barcelona.

Argentina will meet Chile on Sunday in the tournament final -- a rematch of last year's finale, which the host Chileans won on penalties after a scoreless tie in Santiago.

Messi managed just one goal during the 2015 Copa America. But despite an injury keeping him out of the first game of this year's one-off edition of South America's continental championship -- scheduled to celebrate the competition's 100th anniversary -- he's already scored five and added four assists in five matches.

The feat is even more impressive considering that Messi, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday, has logged just 254 minutes of action so far.

"He's really found a very similar form as in Barcelona," Martino said during his prematch news conference on Saturday. "He's been playing with the same people for a long time -- that makes him feel very good, very happy.

Messi knocked home four goals at the 2014 World Cup -- all in the group stage -- and led his country to the final, where they lost to Germany in extra time. He took home the Golden Ball as the top player in Brazil and was also named to the all-tournament team at the 2015 Copa.

"Really, I think for a long time now, he's been performing well for the national team," Martino said. "He's had many more positive performances than not-so-good performances.

"He's in a good place. The way he's been in Brazil, the way he was last year and the way he is once more now."

Argentina has already beaten Chile once during this month's event, beating La Roja -- sans Messi -- in a first-round meeting in Santa Clara, California.

Martino believes that having the four-time Ballon d'Or winner at his disposal can only help on Sunday.

"He's the face of the team," Martino said. "And really he's a reflection of the commitment of all of us to win tomorrow's match."

Messi will have the assistance of Angel Di Maria for the first time this tournament, as Martino said the forward is fit after suffering an adductor injury against Panama.

Only Augusto Fernandez and Ezequiel Lavezzi will not be available to face Chile.

"Except Augusto and Lavezzi, the rest of the players are available," Martino said.

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