A muscle pressure threatened to derail Messi’s event, however his coach says he’s nonetheless world’s greatest participant.
Revealed On 11 Jul 2026
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni stated he’s not shocked by Lionel Messi’s bodily situation at 39, reiterating that he believes the captain will stay the most effective participant on the planet for so long as he chooses to hold enjoying.
Messi has been instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup marketing campaign, scoring eight objectives in 5 matches to take a seat simply behind France’s Kylian Mbappe – who has performed a recreation extra – within the Golden Boot race.
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The diminutive ahead additionally impressed a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the spherical of 16, and is now the main scorer in World Cup historical past, with 21 objectives throughout his profession.
In opposition to the North Africans, the Argentinian talisman netted as soon as and supplied an help to Cristian Romero after his facet trailed 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining.
The Inter Miami ahead arrived at his sixth World Cup with questions over his health after just lately recovering from a muscle strain.
“Leo runs roughly the identical in each match,” Scaloni informed reporters on Friday. “Bodily, it’s true that he has completed preparation work together with his health coach, and it has paid off, however by way of numbers, I don’t know if he has modified that a lot.”
“What is evident is that he’s giving all the pieces he has. When he offers all the pieces he has and senses that he can create hazard, he’s a machine,” the coach added.
Messi’s numbers on the event could possibly be even higher had he not missed two penalties – towards Egypt and Austria – however Scaloni stated he wouldn’t take spot-kick duties away from his inspirational captain.
“It wouldn’t even cross my thoughts to go and inform him to not [take the next penalty]. Let him do no matter he desires,” Scaloni stated. “We have now gamers who can take them, however he’ll take it if he desires to, and if not, that’s as much as him. Let him do no matter he desires out on the pitch.”
Scaloni stated these anticipating age to meet up with Messi didn’t know the participant nicely sufficient.
“It doesn’t shock me,” he stated.
“Perhaps individuals who don’t know him anticipated that at 39 he wouldn’t be at this degree, however I don’t know what number of instances I’ve stated it: as lengthy as he desires to, he would be the greatest. I believe that, and never as a result of I’m his coach.”
Argentina face Switzerland within the quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas Metropolis. Scaloni praised their opponents, who reached the final eight for the primary time in 72 years after eliminating Colombia on penalties following a goalless draw.
“There aren’t any straightforward rivals, everyone knows that,” Scaloni stated.
“They’re an excellent workforce. They compete with the greatest nationwide groups and all the time come by means of. They could win or lose, however they all the time compete. They’ve World Cup custom, skilled gamers and are bodily sturdy.”
If Argentina beat Switzerland, they might face England or Norway within the semifinals.
