The coach of the Argentine soccer team, Lionel Scaloni, said Thursday that Lionel Messi “He wants” to play the 2026 World Cup, although he stressed that “both he and his teammates are aware that there is a prudential time” to that competition.
“The first thing to say is that both he and his teammates are aware that there is a prudential time, and the desire to play the World Cup and they all have them,” said Scaloni during an interview with the Argentine Canal DSports.
Everyone loves him
“But to ensure it, then you have to see how time passes, seeing how one is coming,” said the coach, who stressed that the 37 -year -old player of Inter Miami is aware of the will of the coaching staff to have him for the World Cup event that will be played between June and July 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Scaloni also referred to the replacement in the Albiceleste campus for that tournament and said that “it is also a time to give children who have not yet been”, although they did not give names.
New faces
“It is true that the base is, but why not think of a boy who can contribute to us,” he added, and continued: “We believe it is time and we will see before the call if we do.”
Argentina closed 2024 as the leader of the South American Qualifiers for the next World Cup, with 25 points after 12 games played, and a difference of five units over Uruguay, which is second.
Although, in the absence of six games, it is already close to sealing its classification, the world champion team did not show its best face in the final stretch of last year and recorded two wins, two losses and one draw in its last five games .
His debut in 2025 is scheduled for March 19, when he visits Uruguay in Montevideo, and three days later he will receive Brazil.
The goodbye of Di María
The closure of 2024 was also marked for the farewell of the Angel Di María National Teamwhich closed its extensive and successful path with the albiceleste after consecrating two -time champion of the Copa América in the United States.
“It is a stage, for what he said, closed. And it was closed in the best possible way. If he had written his film, his book, his football history, I do not think I would have written it as well as it ended,” said Scaloni.
“It was a designed and matured decision. I think we can say today, because she retired winning and being one of the best players in Argentina’s history,” he added.
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To a question about his eventual departure from the position, which he has held since 2018, Scaloni said that his position “is dream” and that the day he leaves will be “the saddest” of his life. “But I also say that the day I am not with all the desire we will have to leave. For now I am fine,” he concluded.
