Lionel Messi spoke to the media after Argentina’s 3-2 win against Cabo Verde at the World Cup.
Messi had one goal against Cabo Verde in their 3-2 win. Speaking with Doble Amarilla, here is what he had to say:
“This national team always competes and will continue to do that until the final.
“We had the importance of set pieces which hadn’t been coming. We have good headers of the ball like Cuti, Licha, Mac Allister, Nico Gonzalez who go very well. We have to be strong in attack and defense. In a competition like this, it’s important and it was proven that we’re doing well.
“We couldn’t press well, our lines were too far apart. It was too far for the center backs and we ended up uncoordinated. They had one more player because we couldn’t control or press.”
if we are being honest Scaloni has been disappointing in this World Cup he favors certain players. Players Like Paz, Simeone, Barco have dreams of contributing to their national team when they see inferior players like DePaul playing all the time that is really discouraging. Favoritism is not nice to see. players with good season should get a chance Paredes, Palacios, Barco, Paz, Simeone had a good season so they should play, i can finally admit Almada and Messi can not start together Almada is physically weak and Messi is old so they don’t press. what he will do next is predictable Locelso and Nico Gonzalez will start it will not work because talent wise they are limited so he will go back to playing with Depaul. I will be surprised if Barco and Nico Paz play more than 30 Minutes combined Simeone might play because he runs all day. all good performances in scaloni era happened without Messi. without him the team will press better and they will put a team like Cabo Verde to bed early. in this day and age you can not afford a player like messi to start.i know he will score and make us forget about the problem but many problem we find our self in will not happen if messi does not start.messi and ronaldo present the same problem the only difference is messi is contributing because he is a genius with the ball. his post match comment shows he realizes he is a burden on the rest.
Agreed also he always lose balls easily
Dont agree with the Messi part rest 100% agreed
Agree with you except on Messi. You just cannot afford to have a genius like Messi, who can at any given time create something out of nothing, start the game on the bench, it will be malpractice. Those first goals of his, in 2022 and even now 2026 are lethal, huge beyond description as they set the tone. No pal, Messi HAS to start. Next step then is to surround him with the absolutely best team available who can hide a bit his chronic lack of pressing. I will definitely insert Paz, Simeone, Barco, Paredes and also Alvarez. Alvarez work rate is higher. I do not know Scaloni to be an ideologue, he’s very good at adjusting, adapting. Unbelievable Cabo Verde helped Argentina a lot: Cannot repeat as World Cup champions, a realistic possibility, playing the way the team has played so far, there has to be big changes, of personnel and approach. Team looked SLOW, OLD, and we cannot put that on Messi, how he plays is not a secret. Scaloni has to have to inject new players capable of picking up the pace. You do not want the other big teams start feeling a certain way about Argentina.
This should be the last time scaloni play lautaro Martinez and Almada as starters. One of the trio midfielders of Enzo, DePaul or Macalister must be replaced by either Valentin barco or paredes. Scaloni should have selected some yong players like maximo Perrone instead of Flaco lopez and that decision to leave Perrone will haunt him the latter stage of the competition.
I will going for 4-3-3 formation for Egypt game…
Midfielder….
1) Leonardo Parades as defensive midfielder
2) Alexis Maclester
3) Lo celso
Forward…
1) Nico Gonzalez
2) Julian Alvarez
3) lionel messi
Defender…
1) Taglafico
2) lisandro Martinez
3) Christian Romero
4) Molina or simeone
Goalkeeping: Unchanged
What a frustrating night. Our team was horrible. The first twenty minutes were so slow that we could have played Valdano or Caniggia at their current age. I have been a fan since the days of Diego but the lack of creativity, speed, and urgency were appalling. Romero was walking until the hydration break. It was so bad that it brought back memories from the Batista and Bauza era. There is no urge whatsoever to score goals. The brilliant goal from Messi came out of nowhere. But instead of chasing a second goal, we shifted back to first gear. After the second goal it happened again and for the last minutes of the extension period we were with our backs against the wall. Against a team with players from lower leagues.
Defence
Our backs are hopeless. Future opponents will surely have noticed that Molina and Medina are weak and offer plenty of opportunities to create changes. Montiel can only stop wingers by kicking them. Scaloni cannot be blamed, because we currently do not have a Zanetti, Tarantini or Sorin. Medina’s crosses and passes in the opposite half were a horror to watch. Mistake after mistake. Tagliafico must be starter from now on. Lisandro was next to Messi the only Argentine player that did well. Great assist and great goal! He will be our captain from September.
Imagine Medina and Molina up against Mbappe, Barcola, Dembele and Olise… We’re in for a scoreline similar to the PSG vs Inter Milan CL final from last year. We don’t have to worry about that, because this team is not going to make it to the final.
Midfield
DePaul, MacAllister and Enzo are not a shadow of their 2022 form. They work hard, but that is about it. Little to no creativity, no defence splitting passes or great interceptions. Yesterday we could have used younger, more energetic and creative players like Perrone and Buendia.
Offense
Messi is looking for quick passes in the box from which he scored so many goals. We do not have Iniesta or Xavi. Lautaro and Almada fail to do quick passes, and cannot dribble past defenders. When Alvarez came on, we saw a few of those quick exchanges. Therefore, Alvarez needs to start. I would also like to see Paz to add more creativity.
Scaloni
I am beginning to think that Scaloni won all those titles thanks to the immense talents of Messi and Di Maria. Against Cabo Verde he did not have a clue what to do, or how to change tactics. His substitutions were late as usual and changed nothing, a midfielder for a midfielder, an attacker for an attacker etc. He sticks with the ‘never change a winning team’ formule even when players are out of form or way beyond their peak. Everyone looks for Messi, even when they have the opportunity to take a shot themselves or other players are in a better position. The Messi dependency has become ridiculous. We are in desperate need of new ideas, players and tactics.
Scandalous. Completely unprepared and inadequate players. I’be said this a 100 times how Scaloni completely wasted 3 years since the 22 win. Always the same players and now he is embarrassing the defending champions on the world stage. Cape Verde well drilled and fearless. They deserved better. Scaloni was made to look like an absolute clown that he really is. He should made the changes right after the break but let the team suffer for another 20 minutes before doing anything.
Emi Martinez: can’t do much about both goals but distribution poor. The usual aura missing. 6/10.
Molina. I apologise for saying that Montiel in the worst Right back in the World Cup that honor goes to Molina. 1/10. That one is for singing the National Anthem.
Lisandro Martínez. Argentina’s best player on the night. He didn’t mark the player for the first goal but he was keeping an eye on another while hoping Medina would deal with the other. 8/10.
Cuti Romero. Not fully fit but it was a two man army in defence along with Licha. 7/10.
Medina: A donkey can’t do a horse’s job. A world champion is playing a knock out match playing CB as a left back. Good on the coaching staff. He was cooked. 4/10.
Rodrigo De Paul: He forgot to bring along Mate and a towel to keep wiping Messi’ bottom. He was second best all night. 3/10.
MacAllister. Started well but after going 1-0 up, he became confused and was rattled by Cape Verde players. Only lateral passes and nothing going forward. He is not a 5. Should play in De Paul”s position and Parades taking up the 5 role.5/10.
Enzo. A night to forget. His worst World Cup game but when you have a certain Lautaro playing upfront, u will suffer. 5/10.
Messi. Brilliant goal. No Messi, no party. Apart from the goal, he suffered he was completely overwhelmed by fitter, athletic and hungrier opponents.6/10.
Lautaro: Worst striker to have ever played at the World Cup. 11 World Cup matches, 1 penalty goal and 7 shots on target. He should not be left on the bench for the next match rather he should be left in the hotel bathroom and locked there till we win this Cup. 0/10.
Almada. I can see why he is heading back to Argentine Football next season. 70 minutes of humiliation out there. 1/10. 1 point for enduring the pain without crying.
The entire team was second best all night I’m sick of the mino team did great we are all together come by ar SHITE
IT WAS LAZY SAD PATHETIC DISPLAY AND THERE is NO EXCUSE FOR IT
2018 level idiocy
People will say this and that. But there is only problem in this squad that we Don’t have good winger.
Brazil has vini, spain has yamal, france has multiple wingers England has saka, colombia has luiz dias.
We need a proper winger thats all.
Scaloni is a clown and coward. Why is he still experimenting starting 11? He should have fired after the horrible 2022 World Cup . We got lucky with the win, but he was as awful and not the reason we have won it.
@nabeelamigoz
We definitely don’t need any respect and validation from our opponents. The less they respect us the better. A careful and cautious enemy is harder to defeat then overconfident and careless one… Argentina just need to focus at winning. Doesn’t matter how ugly it looks. The aura will be there when we lift the trophy again.
Your missing something we shouldn’t be that low there’s no DAMB excuse
Score run back to your box let them have possession
wtf tactic or mind set is that
Well that was the approach Brazil seemed to take, look at them, ousted!!! ‘The less they respect us the better’, many times that’s a suicidal approach. You do not want a team coming in and thinking they can pin you down, it’s playing with fire. Every single game in 2022 Argentina was AGGRESSIVE. Not only endless passes in the back, it was straight ahead.
Scaloni tried a bit what he needs to do and the result was very successful: Put Messi on the wing for multiple possessions. He was disrupting the defense in that position. Even at his advanced age he’s still lethal on the wing, someone has to do what DiMaria used to do, create imbalance in the opposing defense with his dribbles.
So no, do not allow any team to disrespect you. Netherland and Brazil allowed that and they’re gone, they just sat there and allowed Morocco and Norway, of all teams, dictate the action. So far no team has attempted that with Argentina, even brave Cabo Verde were smart enough to pull back and that’s how it has to be.
Dibu Martinez also needs to get his act together. He has been awful. His positioning has been poor. He has failed to make himself big in 1v1 situations.
He is obviously irreplaceable in the knockout stage. So he needs to raise his game significantly.
He was awful in the 2022 World Cup too, but we wouldn’t have won the World Cup without him. We also wouldn’t have won the 2021 Copa America or the 2024. The guy always bails us out in penalty shootouts, no matter who the opponent is. And then, of course, there was the GOAT Kolo Muani save.
Iv been saying this all the time his attitude is jaw dropping and like many previous occasions his letting in extremely weak shots
That first goal was plane EMBARRASING and you could see it coming a mile away utterly embarrassing he was directly in front of it did a baby chicken impression flapping around like a baby bird in a swimming pool
No attempt at saving it
Same first goal first game off side again just nothing from him are weird sit back ball watch edge of box FOR NO REASON WHATS SO EVER lazy display is fast getting annoying
There was no reason at all to sit there watching a far far far far weaker team have the ball at your box
There is many demerits to give scaloni as coach, in prior to 2022 world cup he selected or integrated Romero very late then normal, same goes for licha , many of members here were shouting why scaloni is not integrating Romero, licha, even Enzo Fernandez, he chooses montiel only reason he is good at penalties main problem with montiel he’s not skillful and less physic, but I think any players can be good at penalties if properly trained, Argentina has problems of wing back from previous world cup, it was good luck for Argentina Molina was perform attackingly well on time, scaloni carried the same wing back problem in this world cup, even worse he choosed injured montiel, he had ample amount of time to improve wings, last world cup it was dimaria who was given strength in the wings for Argentina this world cup he’s not present, scaloni build Argentina mainly focus on Messi, it is good things but Messi is no more run like a young, his strength declined, even he was declined from the past world cup, last world cup some young blood triggered well like Julian and Enzo, but this world cup there performance no longer the surprise for the opponents their hunger little reduced compared to the last world cup, in previous world cup Argentina scored early but they falls down, struggled very hard to win back game , same scenario repeating, scaloni has no plan B for the team, Messi performance slowly decreased with the match time, if somehow Messi is blocked for 60 minutes he exhausted then his defence troubling run slowly reduce significantly even Messi starts to misspass many moment compared to his name, it is normal for his age, even he did it in past world cup sometime, this Argentina team demerit is even though they go ahead they can’t solidify their win, as coach there’s definitely scaloni to give demerits, he bear the same weakness with time , he didn’t create any plan B
Does anyone else feel like resting so many of our first choice players for nearly two weeks contributed to today’s drop in intensity and energy? I honestly can’t remember Argentina pressing this poorly in the Scaloni era.
Before the Jordan match, I posted here saying we should start our strongest XI because we still had seven days before today’s game. Looking back, I feel that such a long break without competitive minutes affected our rhythm. In the 2022 World Cup, we had only 4 to 5 days between matches and, after the Saudi loss, we couldn’t afford to rotate heavily. We always looked sharp and matched our opponents’ intensity. Today, though, we looked second best to Cape’s energy for most of the game.
Another thing. I really hope Scaloni moves away from the 4-4-2 and goes back to the 4-3-3. We get much better width in that system, and our midfielders and fullbacks seem far more comfortable. So far, the 4-4-2 just hasn’t looked convincing with this group.
Also, I’d love to see more of the younger, high energy players like Barco, Simeone, and Paz. Let’s not forget who helped transform this team in 2022. It was newcomers like Enzo and Alvarez. Back then, neither of them was even playing for a top European club, yet Scaloni trusted them. Now Barco, Paz, and Simeone have already proven themselves in top European leagues, so I don’t understand why he’s been so reluctant to give them more opportunities.
It has more to do with the fact evident to everyone except Argentina management – that many of our first choice players and first subs are awfully out of form, and have been for the whole season, hence should not have been first choice. Some came from long term injuries. Most were benchwarmers in their clubs. A few had to leave Europe because they could not keep up their standards.
Yet they are continuously favored over in-form players. Players who had good at seasons like Soule and Buendia were not even included in the world cup squad.
Couldn’t agree more…
Well said. At least he has the balls to acknowledge the specific failings.
A lot more courageous than the coach who basically spoke a word salad of generic statements.
Before this match, every team in the tournament respected—and even feared—Argentina. As one commentator said, “People are intimidated by France, and in my opinion, Argentina are just as good as France.”
We should have carried that intimidating aura throughout the tournament. Credit to Cape Verde—they studied Argentina’s attacking patterns exceptionally well.
They recognized that Argentina’s main threat comes from line-breaking passes through the middle and quick one-two combinations in tight spaces to penetrate the box. For most of the game, they successfully disrupted both patterns and forced Argentina into less dangerous areas.
The encouraging part is that Argentina still have immense quality, both in the starting XI and on the bench. With Scaloni and his coaching staff, I’m confident they’ll analyze what went wrong, make the necessary adjustments, and come back stronger. Hopefully, this was simply an off day rather than a sign of a deeper problem.
I think many underestimated Cape Verde, They managed draw with Spain and Uruguay. This match will make many to underestimate Argentina which could be a good thing. When the road is tough you tend to pay better attention and hopefully improve with time as it happened in 2022. If we play rather easier or comfortable opponents then it becomes problematic at latter stages of the tournament. Respect each opponent, dont be overconfident. Many times teams scoring lot of goals and dominating the tournament don’t win trophies. This has happened with Argentina in the past. Hopefully they grow better from here on. Many may not realise that Cape Verde may have been capable of stopping France or Brazil too. We may never know.
This is also the beauty of the team. Both Lionel realized what went wrong in the game. Definitely, the team will improve next match because the coaching staff and the players learn from every game and make improvement. Remember the first 45 minutes in the game against Mexico in 22; the players realize Mexico sat too deep and cutting out all the passing lane. The team decided to use that space to take shots and eventually Messi scored. The players know how to raise their game and the tempo after failures so we’ll get where we need to be on July 19. The team is mentally strong and I’ll keep repeating that again and again. Imagine France, Brazil, Portugal, Colombia playing Cape Verde; Spain could not break them down. CV took Uruguay to the park for a run and most teams are not familiar with their style of play and the physicality. They’re used to the humidity they played the game in yesterday. They had many things in their favor and so many underestimated CV and that’s why many people are mad at Argentina, but they were also good at disrupting Argentina’s strength. As for me, I knew the game would be tricky and super difficult, but I never loss a sweat because Argentina was calm throughout the whole game. We’ve been here before against Australia, Netherlands, Mexico in 22 and against Colombia in 24 final. The team is aware of the difficulty of each game but resilience is often what get you to where you need to be when you are tested beyond human strength. Argentina showed resilience since 21 and most of the past Argentina teams lack that calmness and resilience and eventually failed during tough times.
Enzo’s back tattoos are as clownish as his performance last night
At this rate, I feel like I might have a heart attack while watching an Argentina match. I even turned off the game at the 85th minute and only switched it back on when extra time started because I was so stressed out.
I know it’s just a football match, and I really shouldn’t be this affected by it, but I couldn’t help it.
I think this is the most stressful match I’ve ever watched, and I’ve been following football for a long time. Getting stressed about losing to Brazil, Germany, France, or the Netherlands is one thing, but seeing us struggle against APV is something else entirely. Argentina always has so many surprises, and it often ends up giving heartaches too.
I joke about it, but sometimes I feel like I might not survive watching an Argentina match.
Almost the same here… I was watching on TV (proudly especially after Messi scored and we were controlling the game), with my other family members walking around the house and going about their day.
When it went 1-1 and we started losing our structure and shape, I retreated to my bedroom and watched quietly by myself. Shaking my head and so anxious and heart stopped a few times. We had chances but just couldn’t score past their goalie. Sigh…
During extra time, told myself to just forget it. Stay calm and it’s just a match. We’ve won our 3rd star in 2022. Almost immediately Lisandro scored. So yeah, cool down.
Alas, this is Argentina and we simply love drama. Sigh… equalised with a worldie goal that our defenders could have blocked. Anxiety returned again and I started fearing us losing on penalties shootout, Messi missing, journey ends to a Cape Verde (no disrespect to them). Thankfully Cuti bailed us out. It was the faintest of touches (but they just don’t want us to win it back to back) and don’t even want to credit it to Cuti but say Cape Verde lost to Argentina through an own goal at extra time. Haiz…
I hope the team learns from this.
A solid game against an inspired side like Capo Verde.
I’ll be totally honest before the game started I was almost certain that Argentina was going to get knocked out! Not because I didn’t have faith in Argentina but rather I’ve been very impressed with this so called “small” Capo Verde side. These guys aren’t just happy to be at the world cup like so many other sides but rather they came to play and play they did.
Now regarding that game itself I have to say that Argentina created atleast 3 clear cut chances and Messi especially should’ve buried his one on one with the GK leaving no doubt well before the final regular time whistle. The team did look disjointed at times and our boys seemed to go to sleep after they scored the first goal but they shifted into next gear at the 2nd half and should’ve scored 4 or 5 and while things were tight throughout I felt comfortable that Argentina was gonna get the job done, something that I wasn’t sure of before the match started.
One change that needs to be implemented is -sadly- the removal of Almada. I loved him during the WCQ where he was by far the best player in the team IMO but with the 4-4-2 system that Scaloni is implementing I feel that poor Almada is getting the Diego Simeone treatment where he has to play left midfield thus causing him to get pushed out wide and get lost in the shuffle. Nico Gonzalez and Celso have done a much better job at LMF position and Scaloni should seriously consider implementing this change unless he wants to get back to the 4-3-3 system that he used in the WCQ, which made Almada shine. Either way changes need to be made if Argentina is to go far in the tournament.
That was very well articulated. I began to feel concerned when many were dismissing Cabo Verde, and this match presented a significant challenge for Argentina. Thankfully, we were able to overcome it. Furthermore, I do not believe Argentina performed poorly; rather, Cabo Verde demonstrated superior physical strength and fitness. I must admit that Almada and Lautaro Martinez’s performance was not their best, but I am incredibly pleased that we emerged victorious from such a demanding game. This outcome truly indicates that Argentina, under Scaloni’s leadership, is well-prepared for any match; their mental fortitude is truly remarkable.
We are breathing from the ICU….but Egypt also had a 120 mins game so both teams will have tired games….My team for Egypt should be like this:
Emi
Moilina(No alters)-Romero-Licha-Medina(No alters)
de paul- Macca-Barco
Paz
Messi-Alvarez
Pardes for De Paul
Other 10 is ok
Pardes – mac- barco
not starting nico paz was a mistake. he is one of the few argentina players I have seen in recent matches not afraid to make runs. we really need him instead of fernandez right now. mcallister is a defensive machine and paz is our spear forward.
Good self reflections after match, changes are due and hopefully Argentina will with all flaws continue its path to glory.
Scaloni is practically forced to make changes for the next game. Too many players underperforming in the starting 11. Barco for Macca, Gonzalez/ Paz for Almada and Tagliafico for Medina and for the love of God utilize Lo Celso and Simeone as your subs. It would be suicidal to continue the same 11 against Egypt
Yes against Egypt it’s may be the last change because at R/8 Columbia is coming out as one of the strongest team and they are able to score atleast 1 goal and can defend it. Good thing is Argentina has already played one of the toughest to break a team at knockout round with all flaws.
I think Swiss will hold on Colombia
Did you watch the game..?
Enzo and De Paul were chit..through out…De Paul was always free.. still couldn’t do anything…Enzo is another headless chicken now..
Enzo fernandez was terrible…
Scaloni will not make major changes, I guarantee you. The only change will be Alvarez for Lautaro.
Lack of tactical flexibility has been a problem throughout a Scaloni era. It took a disaster in the opening game in 2022 to force his hand.
The problem is Scaloni did not see today’s result as a disaster. So he will not make changes this time.
We couldn’t press well, our lines were too far apart. It was too far for the center backs and we ended up uncoordinated. They had one more player because we couldn’t control or press. — Very rightly said. Specifically, the void in he middle was glaringly visible when they were attacking. A green patch of land where the Cape Verde players roamed freely. Building dangerous attacks become so easy from such positions. This was exactly what Messi pointed out when we lost of Uruguay. In contrast Cape Verde were not giving us any free land in the middle of the park. Egypt would not be different. They are immensely better side compared to Cape Verde.
And are Lautaro and Almada listening what Messi is saying about pressing? Scaloni has guaranteed them two places in the starting Xi. That would not change as the coach wants his extended family members to be part of the starting squad. But if they have even the slightest desire to do something significant in this World Cup, they should press hard upfront. In modern football the defence begins in the other half.
its high time Nico Gonzales should start along with Julian, even though julian not scoring, his pressing and off the ball movement are pivotal in modern football
In 1 one word we need 1 good left winger
Di maria is the missing link but unfortunately there is no replacement of him
Football gods saved us
It will have been such a anti climax with the most inform messi ever in a worldcup we are all expecting us to be in the final.. But if we knocked out today its could have been shell shocker
Have no idea what and why the team played like this today even inside the first 5mnt there where 3 miss passes inside our half one recoverd by romero and give back to emi who give to martinez then he given to romero that same trio missed it again 😌
Like that a whole miss up
During the first 5mnt we got a nice interception from cape verde as well for almda but bro wasnt shooting he give back pass😌
Be realistic and Spain, Uruguay couldn’t score a single goal against this opposition at group stage where pressure was not at the level of knockout round. Argentina won it grinned it and moving forward its good sign. Messi scored against the impenetrable goalkeeper proving again he is GOAT.
Lecelso !!
More balis for lantaro
More plays set plays wen lantaro is in the field
Don’t be afraid of Paz as a left sided to centre attacker or barco