Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has made one thing abundantly clear: Lionel Messi remains the heartbeat of the national team. Speaking in June 2026, Scaloni emphasized that the 38-year-old forward has always been important for the squad and will be “even more essential now” as the defending champions gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
If Messi takes the field in 2026, he would become one of the very few players in football history to appear in six World Cups, a milestone that underscores just how long he has been doing extraordinary things at the highest level.
Scaloni’s strategic deference to his captain
Scaloni has taken a notably hands-off approach. He’s committed to doing “everything possible” to have Messi available for the tournament while strategically allowing the captain to take the lead on decisions regarding his participation.
Scaloni also pointed to something less quantifiable but arguably more important: Messi’s persistent competitive spirit. Despite the Ballon d’Or trophies, the World Cup medal, the Copa America titles, and every other piece of silverware imaginable, the Argentine still wants to compete. That internal fire, according to Scaloni, is what makes the conversation about his continued involvement a straightforward one.
