Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI gave his thoughts on the current crop of young players, Lionel MESSI, the U20 team and more.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, coach SCALONI spoke about what his role is as a coach managing this group and Lionel MESSI. Here’s what he had to say:

“The players who are currently here are in very good form. Argentina has the luck of having great players in every league. The main problem here is to be able to put out a list and inevitably be able to leave out good players.

“The main goal is to add quality players and be able to form them into playing a certain way. If MESSI were to return tomorrow, the idea is that he would feel comfortable.

“In the current Argentina team, there are young players, we have players that are 23 or 24 years old that have a big future, we have to give them a spot. Several of the kids that are with the Argentina team know each other from their clubs. There are new and young guys.”

In regards to the Argentina U20 team which SCALONI will be coaching, he will start to think of January’s tournament in December.

“We are thinking about these matches (against Mexico) and on the December 10, we will start to think about the pre-season to prepare for the South American U20 cup.

“I’m very excited about the upcoming matches with the Argentina national team. And above all, I am very excited to be able to coach the Argentina U20 team at the South American U20 cup. In regards to the Argentina U20 team, we want to have a good South American U20 cup and be able to qualify for the U20 World Cup. My goal is to train these kids. What we told the group that won the Alcudia was that our dream was for them to get to the senior squad.”

The coach also talked about AFA president Claudio TAPIA, as well as Paulo DYBALA and Rodrigo BATTAGLIA.

“I’m very thankful to AFA president TAPIA and with the players for the support they are giving me. They have made our jobs easier.

“Paulo DYBALA always plays in offensive roles and he tends to go more to the right side of the pitch because he’s left footed and we think that’s his best version.

“I want to send out a big huge to Rodrigo BATTAGLIA. We send our support to a player that is very important to the Argentina national team.”