"We are in an unbeatable position"said coach Scaloni before the match against Chile

Lionel Scaloni, coach of the Argentine national team, highlighted that the double date of the South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup finds them “in an unbeatable position, as leaders,” before playing Chile on Thursday, despite the absences of Lionel Messi, injured, and Angel Di Maria, who is retiring.

“This September date has particularity“Yes, because there are players who changed teams, who had few holidays, others with little experience in their teams. We will try to keep up the level, to keep the team on the path we are on and finish the match in the best way possible,” said Scaloni on Wednesday at a press conference.

The coach of the Albiceleste also spoke about Messi’s absence: “We know that the number 10 shirt has an owner “And we know who he is. I spoke to Messi personally to see how he was and he hadn’t been training, so it was premature to put him on the list. He told me that he was improving and it was just a matter of time before he could play.”

Before the match against Chile at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, There will be a tribute to Di Maria, who retired from the national team after winning the Copa América in the United States.

Scaloni considered that Di Maria “It was clear to me that his farewell was at the Copa América. It was a movie ending, it couldn’t have gone better.”

“The tribute is well deserved, “Let it be with his people, in Argentina, and that’s what he’ll get. He’s one of the best footballers in history and he leaves an indelible legacy. You have to hold on to what he’s done, never give up and keep going, never give in, because that’s what life and football are about,” Scaloni stressed.

Messi’s absence also meant a new opportunity for Paulo Dybala, who chose to stay at AS Roma, despite having received a great offer to move to Saudi Arabia, Scaloni said that “his call-up has nothing to do with him staying in Italy. We value them for what they do on the pitch.”

Regarding Thursday’s rivalScaloni said that “Chile is a team that plays football well, “As his coach has taught us, a team that is going through a period of change. Ricardo (Gareca) has always had very good words for us, and from what we can see he radiates calmness.”

“Chile has historically been a tough opponent “And it will be the same tomorrow. Beyond the points they have in the table, they are a rival that has always been competitive, we must not be complacent,” insisted the coach.