Left-back and World Cup champion and two-time America's Cup winner Nicolás Tagliafico shared his opinion on the current state of the Argentine national team, spoke about a possible return to Argentine football, and stated that it is 'atypical' that Argentine star Lionel Messi has remained in the national team call-ups for 20 years. Additionally, the defender for France's Olympique Lyon stated that other national teams hold a 'grudge' against them, although he admitted: 'we bring it upon ourselves with our arrogance'. The Argentine declared in the days leading up to the match against the Angolan national team, next Friday, November 14th at 13:00, which is the only friendly match the team led by Lionel Scaloni will play in the upcoming FIFA match window. As a preview of what the 2030 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be like, Tagliafico believes the national team has a 50% chance of becoming world champions again, assuring that it is 'neither too little, nor too much'. Regarding the next World Cup, the 33-year-old defender commented that 'a World Cup is another thing, another stimulus' and distanced it from the Finalissima they will have to play against Spain on Friday, March 27, 2026. About this, he said that 'it doesn't matter if you win or lose,' though he valued it as a chance to understand at what level they will arrive at the World Cup by facing 'one of the best national teams'. On Messi, Tagliafico described it as 'totally atypical' that he has remained in the National Team for 20 years, clarifying that 'he will decide when to leave,' fantasizing about his possible future in the technical staff and ensuring that 'no one is prepared for when Messi is no longer here'. 'Taglia' also commented that he feels other national teams have 'a little more of a grudge' against them, admitting they deserve it for their 'arrogance,' and made it clear that 'being World Champions, you have to prove it' to finally earn their 'respect'. Facing what could be his third and last World Cup as a professional, the defender who came through the youth ranks of Banfield and has a past at Independiente stated that 'a player shouldn't have to play 50 games before a World Cup,' ensuring he tries to 'enjoy as much as possible' the stage he is in, assuring they are 'the last years' and affirmed he will play wherever necessary, stating that 'there are no guaranteed spots and it depends a lot on what the coach does,' attributing his call-ups to the fact that 'left-backs are not emerging' from among Argentine youth players. Lastly, the former Ajax Netherlands player made it clear that he is not thinking of returning to Argentine football as he needs the 'competitiveness' of European football to stay in the National Team, although he anticipated: 'Banfield and Independiente are two clubs I love very much, I will decide later if I have the desire to return'.
