The coach of the Argentina national football team, Lionel Scaloni, stated that Lionel Messi has the desire to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Scaloni pointed out in an interview that both Messi and his teammates are aware that there is a significant amount of time before the competition, but the desire to participate is present in everyone.
"The first thing to say is that both he and his teammates are aware that there is a reasonable amount of time left, and the desire to play in the World Cup is shared by him and everyone," the coach expressed when asked about Messi's presence in the tournament. Scaloni also emphasized that Messi, at 37 years old and playing for Inter Miami, knows that the coaching staff counts on him for the World Cup.
Regarding the generational change in the Albiceleste national team, Scaloni indicated that it is an opportune moment to offer opportunities to young players who have not yet had the chance to represent the national team in major competitions. While the established base is recognized, it is considered important to incorporate new blood into the team.
The Argentina national team closed out 2024 at the top of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with 25 points from 12 matches, closely followed by Uruguay. Despite being close to securing their qualification, the team had ups and downs in their performance, recording two victories, two defeats, and one draw in their last five matches of the past year.
Argentina's first commitment in 2025 will be on March 19, when they visit Uruguay, followed by a match against Brazil three days later. The end of 2024 was marked by Ángel di María's farewell from the national team, who retired after becoming a two-time champion of the 2024 Copa América in the United States.
"It's a stage closed in the best possible way," Scaloni commented on Di María's decision to end his international career. The coach praised the successful career of the player and highlighted that his farewell was well thought out and matured, marking the end of an emblematic chapter in the history of Argentine football.
