Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has proclaimed upon the FIFA World Cup-winning legend Lionel Messi "will play untill he wants", adding that it is his desire to want more out of his sport. The 38-year-old and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, have conquered his supremacy dominating every club, every country he has appeared and finally gifting the most precious asset to his country the in 2022 at Qatar, making it the crown jewel of his legacy. Despite having conquered it all, Messi looks all set for his sixth FIFA World Cup appearance.
Speaking to Diario Ole, as quoted by Goal.com, Scaloni said, "He (Messi) will play until he wants to because we already know what he is and it is not surprising that he plays his sixth World Cup."
"He continues to be the best because he always wants more and shows he wants more," he added.
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🚨 Lionel Scaloni on Messi 🇦🇷🎙️:
— MC (@CrewsMat10) June 2, 2026
"He's going to keep playing until he decides to stop. His desire to keep competing is incredible. He's an example for every kid watching him and thinking: he's still pushing, he still wants to be here, despite winning everything possible 🇦🇷🏆”…
Messi's training for the big stage
During the first training session of Argentina in the United States, Messi practiced seperately continuing his recovery from the recent hamstring issue he faced while playing for Inter Miami.
The Inter Miami captain has been benched for recovery since May 24 due to muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. He is expected to return with full-recovery in time for Argentina's World Cup opening match against Algeria on June 16.
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🚨𝐍𝐄𝐖: Lionel Scaloni explains how he convinced Leo Messi to return to the national team after 2018 World Cup:
— Mr Sam (@Mr_SamFCB) June 2, 2026
🗣️ “I called him with Aimar to tell him that we would temporarily take over coaching the national team, and he said to us: Are you guys crazy?”
🗣️ “Then afterward,… pic.twitter.com/RlQAWjCH9q
Scaloni's tactical management for Messi
On Monday, Lionel Messi joined the national team at their base camp in Kansas City and completed an individual training programme.
When asked about the planning for the Argentina forward's workload management with according to his post-match fitness and tournament expansion, Scaloni insisted on putting strategic planning with Messi which is based on mutual respect, rather than forcefully imposing strict physical restrictions.
"Every decision we have made, we have discussed with him. It is useless for me to sit here and say that I decide: in his case, and I think it is deserved, I will always talk to him and ask him how he is, and we see if we reach an agreement. I think it has to be that way, because I repeat, he, even being on the pitch with a lot of difficulties, has given us a lot. So there are times when it is even better that he is in difficulty because of everything he generates," Scaloni explained.
Argentina will begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, later having a face-off against Austria and Jordan in the upcoming matches of the tournament.
