‘Depart him alone’ – Scaloni requires persistence over Messi’s resolution to play at 2026 World Cup

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has referred to as for persistence concerning Lionel Messi’s resolution over whether or not or not he’ll play on the 2026 World Cup.

Scaloni’s aspect thrashed Brazil 4-1 on Wednesday with out Messi, who’s presently sidelined with an adductor damage, to inflict upon their South American rivals their heaviest ever defeat in a World Cup qualifying match.

Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone grabbed the targets for the reigning world champions to make sure the holders’ secure passage to the finals in Canada, Mexico and america subsequent yr.

Now 37 years of age, hypothesis has been rising about whether or not Messi will seem in his sixth World Cup as Argentina look to develop into solely the third staff in historical past after Italy and Brazil – and the primary nation because the Selecao in 1962 – to win successive males’s tournaments.

Lionel Scaloni needs Messi to determine at his personal tempo whether or not he’ll play within the 2026 World Cup with Argentina 👀 pic.twitter.com/oOsoHd5US0

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 27, 2025

Nonetheless, Scaloni, who guided Argentina to World Cup triumph in 2022, has insisted the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will make the decision when he’s prepared and shouldn’t be pressed for a choice.

“There’s loads of time,” the Argentina head coach mentioned. “We should take it one recreation at a time, in any other case we’ll be discussing this all yr.

“We have to depart him [Messi] alone. He’ll determine when he needs. Let’s not drive him loopy.”

Messi captained his nation to the title in Qatar and, regardless of his age, his compatriots consider he nonetheless has a lot to supply the staff.

Talking after the victory over Brazil, Alvarez mentioned: “With Messi, we would have scored two or three extra targets.”

Whereas Rodrigo De Paul echoed that sentiment: “The very best model of our staff is all the time when the No. 10 is enjoying, as a result of he’s the best of all time.”