In an interview with Olé newspaper June 5, Scaloni admitted the management of the size team at the World Cup was always accompanied by much pressure, especially in the personnel issue. "No one likes to be replaced, Messi too," he said, and stressed the use of 38-year-olds still bring great value regardless of age and state. "He still contributed a lot, even when facing the difficulties on the field. Having Messi in the formation is always better, he has the ability to make and make different things".

The 48-year-old coach also insists that Messi's referendum before making a decision and considers it reasonable to exchange with the captain, not interested in the comments that he has no real rights. "It doesn't make sense to say I'm in charge," he insisted. "We always talk to Messi about every decision, I ask him how he feels, how he thinks and goes together to unity".

Coach Scaloni shared his fun with Lionel Messi after the Argentina win the Netherlands at the World Cup Finals at Lusalil, Qatar on 10 December 2022. Image: AP

The 2026 World Cup was considered a festival of farewells, marking the closure of the Golden Generation in World Football. This may be the last World Cup of Superstars like Messi, Cristino Ronaldo - who will be attending this tournament for the sixth time in their careers. Neymar or Luka Madric is also in the group of stars that can say goodbye, making the tournament more special and emotional.

"I like to think Messi will continue to play football, because otherwise you will feel sad, like Diego Maradona leaves", Scaloni said in an interview different from the South American Football League (CONMEBOL). "These were players who shaped football history, and thought they would no longer compete so that you could not rest easy. I like to focus on the present".

To aim for the defense of the World Championship – which has not been made since Brazil in 1962 - Scaloni summoned 17 of the 26 ever crowned players in Qatar, although many did not achieve ideal physical status. "Why the Change?", Scaloni raised the issue. "We're always honest with them. Present players do not show that they do not want to be involved. And more importantly, they haven't fallen in style."

Messi during Argentina's training session in Kansas City, Kansas State, USA January 3, 2026. Image: AP

Based on the frameship which once won the 2022 World Cup, Argentina continued to post Copa America 2024 and easily passed the South American category. Experience remains the key weapon that "La Albeleste" expects to develop on the greatest stage.

However, many of the pillars are experiencing physical problems due to denser competitions (the 47 match average versus the last 34 World Cup games), in the event of the tournament this time taking place in harsher weather conditions.

Messi was the most notable case when he was overhauled at the left tendon, forced to leave the field in the final match for Inter Miami before concentrating the team. "We all wish Messi could come to the tournament without any problems, but it's not. Not just him, most players haven't fully recovered", Scaloni admits.

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Argentina Practiced Before World Cup 2026

Argentina's rehearsal on 4/6.

Messi's ability to compete fully like the World Cup four years ago - where he played seven games - is being questioned. Even so, Argentina has once shown that they can operate well without the number one star, as a 4-1 win before Brazil in the category.

The injury list also has the runner Krishna Martinez - the hero in two series in the 2022 World Cup - with finger problems in the competition for Aston Villa. Staffman Crispin Romero is recovering from a knee cord injury, while the two rear guards must be Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel and the quarterback Leandro Pardes have also not achieved good health.

and Enzo Fálasea (Chelsea) were the most contestants in the 2025-2026 season, playing 55 and 54 games in turn.

Scaloni even entered the tournament without a clear alternative plan for Angel Di Maria - wing front split the team in 2024 "He and Messi are irreplaceable", he admitted.

In the opposite direction, the next wave is expected with faces such as Valentin Barco (Chelsea), Nico Paz (Como) and Juan Manuel López (Palmeiras) – young players first attend the World Cup. Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez is at the ninth stage of his career after shining in Qatar, becoming the key point of the Argentina Draft as well as Atletico Madrid and gained the attention of as large as Barca, Arsenal and PSG.

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The Games - World Cup Result 2026

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

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