Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez admits his side are powerless to stop Lionel Messi if he brings his best form into the Copa America quarter-finals.
Tabarez’s side meet Argentina in Santa Fe on Saturday in what will be the first meeting between the countries since 2009.
Both teams finished the group stage with identical records, picking up five points from the opening games to claim runner-up spots, and are pursuing a record 15th title of the South American football’s showpiece event.
But Tabarez concedes Barcelona phenomenon Messi will prove the difference if he repeats his match-winning heroics from Argentina’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Monday.
“He is going to cause trouble for us. That, as much as we want it to, will never disappear,” Tabarez told reporters.
“There is a saying: ‘if you have a problem and the solution, why worry? And if you have a problem but not the solution, again why worry?’.”
Tabarez also affirmed that he has not chosen the 11 men who will be entrusted with downing Argentina on home soil.
“We still have to define some things. We have spoken with the players, but nothing is decided.”
“Normally if I know the team I will play, I announce it quickly. This time, that is not the case.”
