Martino expects Messi to be available for Copa America

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino expects Lionel Messi to be available for the Copa America despite his captain's court case.

Messi and his father, Jorge, are set to face a Barcelona court over fraud charges, with the trial to begin on May 31.

The Copa, held in the United States, starts just three days later and Argentina's opener against Chile will be played on June 6.

Despite the tight timescale, though, Martino says he has no reason to suspect his star player will be unavailable.

"These are issues that perhaps may have some impact on football," he told Continental Radio.

"I think we should have no problem with his presence at the Copa America Centenario.

"If he suspected that there might be a problem, we would've said."