Lionel Messi said he was enjoying his "last battles" with Argentina after the 37-year-old found the net in a 2-0 win over Canada on Tuesday to book a place in the Copa America final.

Messi returned to action on Thursday in Argentina's quarter-final win against Ecuador after missing the final group-stage match due to injury. He played the entire game, but looked physically hampered.

It’s a huge relief for the Inter Milan marksman, who had experienced a miserable 18 months.

World champions Argentina showed their steel and killer instinct as they beat Chile 1-0 on Tuesday to book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Argentina and Chile will write a new chapter in their long-standing rivalry on Tuesday's Copa America Group A clash at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same stage where "La Roja" thwarted the reigning world champions in the continental final in 2016.

Scaloni said the surface made it difficult for his team to play their normal game and take the tactical approach he prefers.

The tournament brings together 10 South American teams and six from North and Central America and the Caribbean in the second Copa hosted by the United States.

"It doesn't make much sense to think about when they're gone. Let's enjoy them now, we'll see what happens later. Messi is fine, he's happy. I'm with renewed ideas and strength. It's a nice challenge to defend the title," Scaloni said.

Scaloni, 46, caused a stir when he said he was considering stepping down after Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in November.

Martinez has gone 16 consecutive games without scoring a goal, spanning a total of 772 minutes.

The news comes after the Argentina FA (AFA) President Claudio Tapia met with Scaloni to discuss the national team's upcoming friendlies in China ahead of the June 20-July 14 continental tournament in the United States.

The reigning world champions are hungry for more as they look to the future.

The bond the players shared with the fans was also appreciated on the touchline. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni always made mention of the supporters' contributions throughout his Qatar 2022 journey.

A year ago, on this day, Lionel Messi’s Argentina triumphed over France in a final for the ages to lift their third FIFA World Cup.

Argentina face Uruguay on Friday, 6am Bangladesh Time before playing Brazil next Wednesday (6.30am Bangladesh Time).

The 26-year-old Maffeo, born to an Argentine mother, is joined by Olympiakos left-back Francisco Ortega as newcomers for the World Cup champions' home game against Uruguay on Thursday and their trip to Brazil five days later.

Messi, who has said he will retire before the 2026 World Cup, was included in the squad despite carrying a muscle problem which has kept him out of action for club side Inter Miami.

Argentina host Paraguay at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Friday at 5am, Bangladesh Time.

After a dazzling start to his career in Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi returns to international duty with Argentina this week as South America's long qualifying road to the 2026 World Cup kicks off today.

Messi, the Argentina captain, last week announced he would join the MLS side after reaching the end of his two-year deal with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.