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Tata Martino has confirmed that the No.10 will start his first match of the tournament when Argentina takes on Venezuela at Gillette Stadium.

Lionel Messi will be reinstated to Argentina’s starting lineup for the Copa America Centenario quarterfinal against Venezuela on Saturday.

Messi did not start any of his country’s three group stage matches as Argentina booked a spot in the last eight with a 100 percent record, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one.

The Barcelona forward did not get off the bench against Chile in Argentina’s opener, but scored a hat trick in 30 minutes against Panama in Chicago and played 45 minutes in the 3-0 victory against Bolivia in Seattle on Tuesday.

Ccoach Tata Martino has confirmed that Messi will be named among the starters at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough: “Yes, for sure,” he said simply after being asked by reporters.

“We have been, above all, a solid team,” the coach added. “We played a good first half, that’s where we made the difference. After that we couldn’t break down their back five, or the personal attention paid to Leo. The team felt good and played a good group stage, but it will count for nothing if we don’t compliment that with what comes now.”