Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni has demanded patience on Lionel Messi’s decision whether or not to play in the 2026 World Cup.
The Scaloni side destroyed Brazil 4-1 on Wednesday without Messi, who is currently being sidelined by injury to cause their opponents in South America their heaviest defeat in a World Cup qualifying match.
Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone grabbed the targets for world champions to secure the safe passage of holders to the Canada finals, Mexico and the United States next year.
Now 37 years old, speculation is growing in whether Messi will appear in the sixth World Cup, as Argentina seems to only become the third team in history after Italy and Brazil – and the first nation by Selecao in 1962 – to win a Men’s Tournament.
Lionel Scaloni wants Messi to decide at his own pace whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina 👀 pic.twitter.com/oosohd5us0
– ESPN FC (@SPNFC) March 27 2025
However, Scaloni, who led Argentina in the World Cup triumph in 2022, insisted that the eight -time Ballon d’Or or the winner would make the call when he is ready and should not be pressured for a decision.
“There is enough time,” the Argentine coach said. “We have to take it one game at a time. Otherwise we will discuss it all year.
“We have to leave him alone (Messi), he will decide when he wants. Let’s not drive him crazy.”
Messi held his country in the title in Qatar and, despite his age, his compatriots believe he still has a lot to offer to the team.
Speaking after the victory over Brazil, Alvarez said: “With Messi, we could score two or three more goals.”
While Rodrigo de Paul repeated this feeling: “The best version of our team is always when No. 10 plays, because he is the greatest of all time.”
