After Lionel Messi’s word, ratifying that at the moment he is not considering playing the 2026 World Cup, the technical director of the Argentine national team, Lionel Scaloni, The captain’s decision went bankrupt: “He doesn’t sell smoke or lie.”
At the press conference prior to Thursday’s friendly against Australia, Scaloni was asked about Messi’s latest statement about his presence at the next World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. “Messi is prudent, he is a guy who does not sell smoke and does not lie. It is logical: the World Cup is so far away that it does not make sense to think beyond. We’ll see if they feel like it, the important thing is that because they will know how to play today and in ten years,” remarked the coach from Santa Fe in the hall of the Trabajadores stadium, the venue for tomorrow’s game against Australia.
In turn, the DT world champion in Qatar 2022 celebrated in China the decision of the team captain to go “to a club and a city that will treat him wonderfully”, in reference to Inter Miami, from the United States. “It makes me happy that he has decided to go to a club and a city that will treat him wonderfully. It is important that he feel good and there he will have the conditions to be happy and spend it as he deserves,” Scaloni said.
The team will repeat the round of 16 clash of the last World Cup against Australia in the first of the last two friendlies before starting the official competition with the South American Qualifiers. The coach did not confirm the team but advanced that it will be the base of those who finished the World Cup with the doubt of Julián Álvarez, who just joined this Wednesday after the celebrations for winning the Champions League with Manchester City. In addition, he made it clear that Messi will be part of the starting eleven and will probably play the whole game: “In principle, he’s going to play the whole game. Don’t worry about that, he always played with me.”
Scaloni reiterated that the joy and memories of the World Cup obtained in Qatar 2022 “will be for life” but insisted that “we must continue” thinking about the future of the team. “It is the greatest joy of our lives but we are not thinking about the World Cup every day. This does us good to think about what is coming, which will be very difficult”, he completed.
During a press conference that lasted just under half an hour, the coach of the Argentine national team also referred to the friendly against Australia: “It’s an interesting game, nice to play and against a good opponent. After the long trip and some setbacks, we want to continue enjoying the team”, said the coach, who is taking advantage of these meetings to begin the inevitable generational change. “We summon those who are well. We have a base to continue with these players. If the older ones are okay, they will keep coming. And, if we see players with a level, we are open to summoning them.”.
Regarding the affection shown by the people in China, Scaloni pointed out that “The reception and affection is very nice. The first day wasn’t very nice because we couldn’t go out to train, but it’s always nice to be recognized.”
Regarding the absence of goalkeeper Franco Armani, he explained that it was a decision that sought not to harm him, since River is in full competition and the time difference with China is very large. “The Franco thing was clear. It didn’t make sense. I arrived a week ago and I’m just recovering. We have no doubts that there are level players in the local environment, and we are going to consider them”, he highlighted.
In this sense, the coach referred to the possibility of putting together a local team, an idea that clashes with the number of games that footballers must face. “The schedule is very tight. It is very difficult to make a local selection. It’s a pity but it’s a global issue. It is an idea that was left there and could not be given due to a calendar issue, “she recalled.