Scaloni wants Messi in the next World Cup
Before the World Cup final, Lionel Messi announced that this would be his last World Cup. Although he won the cup, he said that he will continue to play for Argentina for a few more days. But coach Lionel Scaloni’s dream is bigger. He wants Messi in the 2026 World Cup. The World Cup-winning Argentina coach has announced that the number 10 jersey will be reserved for Messi.
As Messi’s last match at the World Cup, the Argentines had a different emotion around the final. Many thought that 35 year old Messi might have played his last match not only in the World Cup but also in Argentina’s jersey.
However, after the joy of winning the world for the first time, this superstar said that he will be seen playing more for Argentina. At the press conference at the end of the final on Sunday, Scaloni expressed his bigger wish, ‘We will keep the number 10 jersey ready for the next World Cup. We want him to continue playing, the number 10 jersey is there for him if he wants to.’
Messi will be 39 in 2026 World Cup. It remains to be seen how his fitness will be then. But the biggest thing is Messi’s will.
This time in the World Cup, Messi also did the work of teasing his teammates in addition to the two-legged flash. Scaloni therefore understood the value of Messi’s presence, ‘He has been able to do what he wanted throughout his career. Brought incredible trust between teammates. I have never seen such an influential person in the dressing room.’
Argentina’s long-awaited victory in the Copa America Cup has given the country’s people a new sense of hope. Coach Lionel Scaloni says that he and star player Lionel Messi have big plans for the future. “I was talking to Messi after we beat Brazil in the Copa America,” Scaloni said. “We had big challenges ahead of us. People of the country started dreaming big. He said to me, ‘We’ve got to run anyway. It’s got me really excited.'” I knew right away we were on to something big.”
Read more: Messi pushes Argentina to clinch dream FIFA World Cup 2022
