‘Depart him alone’: Argentina coach shoots down hypothesis relating to Lionel Messi’s involvement at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Argentina confirmed their qualification by to the 2026 World Cup, turning into the primary South American group to take action. The defending champions have dominated in CONMEBOL qualifying for the match set to be held throughout Canada, Mexico, and the USA. They put the cherry on high of their celebrations for making it to the match with a 4-1 thrashing of arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires.
Argentina seemed in dominant contact all through the match, a step above a group which is often thought of the dominant power in South American soccer. Regardless of star man Lionel Messi not enjoying, the assault clicked into gear ferociously. Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone all received on the scoresheet.
Within the wake of this match and the World Cup qualification, Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni was requested if Messi can be accessible for the match, having missed out on the latest worldwide break for the Albiceleste on account of a knock. Nevertheless, Scaloni stored his playing cards near his chest.
“We are going to see what occurs, there’s loads of time,” mentioned Scaloni on the matter in a press convention. “We should go one recreation a time in any other case [we] will probably be talking about the identical factor the remainder of the yr.”
‘Let’s not drive him loopy…’
Argentina’s win in Qatar in 2022 was seen as a fairytale win for Messi, with this probably being his final World Cup, on the age of 35 when the match befell. Nevertheless, Messi has nonetheless seemed greater than able to competing on the highest stage.
Now enjoying professionally for Inter Miami within the MLS, it should additionally function a possibility for him to characterize Argentina within the nation he presently calls house.
Nonetheless, Scaloni was not involved in discussing Messi’s potential participation in 2026, and demanded that the query cease developing. “We have to go away him alone, we are going to see,” he mentioned. “He’ll determine it each time he desires, let’s not drive him loopy with this.”
If Messi does play within the 2026 World Cup, he would grow to be the primary footballer to look in six totally different World Cup tournaments, together with his nice rival Cristiano Ronaldo additionally in line to obtain that honour.
Whereas the respect and admiration for Messi stays excessive, at the same time as he approaches his thirty eighth birthday, Argentina have proven they’ve greater than sufficient high quality to thrive even with out him.
