Argentina 'will not close the door' after the 37-year-old admitted he is playing his last Copa America.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni insists he will “not close the door” on Lionel Messi's international career after the 37-year-old admitted he was playing in his last Copa America.

Messi scored as Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in New Jersey to advance to the final against Colombia or Uruguay, deflecting Enzo Fernandez's cross after Julian Alvarez had put Scloni's men ahead in the first half.

Messi admits he is unlikely to play in another Copa with the next edition not scheduled for another four years, but Scaloni insists any decision on his future will be left to the player, and that is up to Angel Di Maria.

“You know how I think, we'll wait and see how he plays,” said Scaloni about Di Maria. “We cannot clear him early before the game, then the tears will start and everyone, his family, will feel confused. We will see later if we convince him or not, but for now we let him play.

“It's the same story with Messi. We leave them in peace with us, we will not be the ones to close the door on them. He can be with us as long as he wants, and even if he retires, he can join me when I am still a coach. And if not I will take him where I am going. He will be a great help.”

Leo Messi ✨🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/1PZGbE2MoJ

— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 10, 2024

Messi did not say anything about when he might retire, but he said after the game: “We are enjoying our life as a team, as a team. It is not easy for us to enter the finals again and we are about to compete and become champions.

“There is a lot of importance in the last final that the old guard and I played. These are the last fights we will have with Di Maria [Nicolas] Otamendi. This is definitely my last Copa.”

Argentina are the defending Copa champions and backed up their continental success by winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

It is a miracle that even Sceloni, who does not say anything, says that it must be recognized.

“It's something we should be proud of and thank the players for,” said Scaloni. “Yesterday, a [media] My colleague asked me if we do this normally, but the question was good and I was not clear.

“It is very difficult to enter the finals, especially to reach the way we were doing and to win. It is twice as difficult.

“The insiders know how difficult it is to reach this level. It is a feeling of happiness, but also worry because it is very expensive.”