Coach says Messi has guaranteed place at next World Cup

At the press conference given after the title party, at the Lusail stadium, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said that the spot for Lionel Messi, 35, is guaranteed in the next World Cup, which will be held in 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico .

“We need to save a place for him in the next World Cup. His shirt is saved. He’s the one who will decide what to do with his football career, because he certainly doesn’t have any loose ends with the national team. It’s just pleasure, proud having Messi with us. What he transmits to his colleagues is something very important, something that cannot be verbalized”, said the captain.

Scaloni also recalled the conversation he had with the star after winning the Copa América in 2021.

“In San Juan, when we qualified for the Cup, I called him to talk and said that we were transmitting something very strong to the Argentines. ‘and then, move on’. His answer made me sure that the thing was very well trodden.”

In this process of assembling the selection, since he took over in 2018, the coach explains that he gradually realized that he was putting together a competitive group.

“Like all cycles, they are constructions. People are realizing something, and the feeling I had was that a great team was being formed. Argentina has excellent players and our job is to choose who will be on the list. Some of the players who don’t were on the list and were on the pitch celebrating today. This shows everyone’s intention to win the Cup”, he concluded.

Regarding the decisive duel against France, Scaloni says that the key to having remained firm in the fight for the cup was the optimism and confidence of his team.

“Above all, optimism. The team was playing well and it wasn’t the draw that could crush our hopes. Our optimism was still on the rise because we knew there would be more game in overtime. We kept attacking and the penalties came. , we had total confidence in our goalkeeper, we had strength, faith. This is very good”, praised the coach, emphasizing the desire of the players to participate. “On the list [de quem iria bater os pênaltis], it was very good, the players saying that they wanted to hit, and the goalkeeper saying ‘I’m going to grab it’. This is wonderful.”

Another point highly praised by Scaloni was the way the players faced the path towards the title, forgetting the individuality and work in favor of the whole group.

“These players play for the Argentine fans, they don’t have an ego, they don’t have individuality on top of the other. Here is the Argentine national team and there is no greater pride than playing for the country. The way it won the title was brilliant because the players understood what what was needed to be done on the pitch. The way to win is not important. Deservedly, we played a very complete game. In some moments we felt in trouble, but we won on penalties”, celebrated.

The commander also explained the tactical change he made, choosing striker Di María from the start, to surprise the French.

“The players knew they were going to come on. We thought the game could be on the left, with Di María wide open. So, when Mbappé took the ball, the players no longer let him do one on one.”