With Lionel Messi yet to replicate his best form at the Copa America tournament, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has offered a reason for the FC Barcelona record goalscorer's struggles in Brazil.
La Albiceleste booked their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Venezuela last Friday to set up a mouthwatering tie against arch-rivals Brazil.
In the aftermath of their victory over La Vinotinto, Messi, who has netted only once in Argentina's four games at the Copa so far, gave an honest assessment of his individual performance at the tournament.
Read: 'Aguero Messi will have to sweat against Brazil'
"The truth is that it's not been my best Copa America, not what I expected," he said, as per beIN SPORTS.Ahead of the mammoth semi-final between the two South American giants, Argentina boss Scaloni has now given his take on the talisman's displays thus far, insisting that he is happy with the 32-year-old's individual contribution.
"We are used to seeing him score three goals in every game and dribble past five players, but we are asking him to do something different and we are more than happy with the job he is doing," he said, as per Reuters.
"He has embraced the work load, he is our flagbearer. The players love Messi so much that sometimes they say they want to win the tournament just for him.
"The best player in football's history is lacking a trophy with Argentina, but we all want to win, not just him."
Scaloni also commented on facing an in-form Brazil outfit that is yet to concede a goal at the tournament.
"Brazil are looking very strong at the moment, they have been playing together for a long time," he added.
"We think we can go through, but they're at home, playing their Copa America, and the numbers speak for themselves."
Argentina and Brazil are set to do duty at the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto on Wednesday morning, with kick-off set for 02:30 SA time.