Lionel Scaloni spoke extensively about his recent conversations with players, the criteria for national team call-ups, the situation of several key names, and Argentina’s short-term roadmap toward the 2026 World Cup in an interview with AFA Estudio. The Argentina head coach also addressed Lionel Messi’s mindset, the lack of continuity of some established figures, and the upcoming Finalissima against Spain.
During the holiday break, Scaloni visited Lionel Messi at his home in Funes, near Rosario. The meeting sparked speculation about Messi’s future with the national team and his potential participation in the 2026 World Cup. Scaloni downplayed the significance of the visit and framed it as part of his regular communication with senior players.
“I spoke with several of them, with most of them. I intend to talk to the majority of the guys and give them perspective,” Scaloni explained.
He clarified that the visit was facilitated by proximity rather than symbolism. “I’m close to his house, so it wasn’t difficult to travel. The photos gave me away, but I have no reason to deny it,” he said. “Sometimes I do it by phone; other times, in person.”
On Messi’s mentality, Scaloni was clear. “Those of us who know him know that he’s never going to relax. He’s a born competitor, he always wants to play and win,” he stated. According to the coach, that attitude continues to shape the group. “That’s very important for his teammates, who see a captain who behaves that way and wants to come play for the national team wherever it is. That’s undeniable, and it’s a legacy he’ll leave behind that the younger players have to take on.”
Despite that, Scaloni avoided confirming anything about Messi’s future beyond the present. “The World Cup will be seen later. We didn’t talk about that because there’s still time and we don’t want to overwhelm him,” he said. “We want him to be calm and make the decision he feels he has to make. For now, we talked about other things.”
Scaloni also referred to the situation of Valentín Carboni, who is set to join Racing. “He didn’t speak with us, but he’s always been in our orbit,” Scaloni explained. “He was at the Copa América and then suffered a serious injury. He’s one of those players that there aren’t many of.”
On Carboni’s decision to return to Argentine football, the coach was pragmatic. “It’s good that he decides to go out and show himself, and we’ll analyze him as always. We’re not interested in the team or the country, only in performance.”
The same logic applies to other cases, including Leandro Paredes. Scaloni emphasized that club status or league reputation does not influence selection decisions. “What matters to us is what they show on the field,” he repeated.
Thiago Almada was another topic of discussion. Almada has struggled for continuity at Atlético de Madrid and has been linked with a move to Palmeiras. Scaloni acknowledged the situation but kept the focus strictly on footballing output. “We only analyze the football side and whether they’re performing at the level we want,” he said. “He’s an important player for us.”
More broadly, Scaloni defended his continued reliance on many players from the Qatar 2022 squad. “Many of them have the age and played the previous World Cup, and that allows them to be at this one,” he explained. “The most important reason is performance. They haven’t given us reasons to change after winning the World Cup.”
He reinforced that idea with a clear principle: “We’ve competed at a high level and we’ve won again, which is the hardest thing. What matters is what happens on the pitch, not the ID.”
Looking ahead to the final squad selection, Scaloni stressed that no place is guaranteed. “We don’t rule anyone out,” he said, recalling past experience. “It was a cold shower to lose some players shortly before the last World Cup.”
As a result, the technical staff is monitoring a wide pool. “We handle a list of more than 50 players where the level is very even and anything can happen,” Scaloni revealed. “Logically, there’s a large percentage of the final list that’s defined, but we have to be alert to possible injuries, drops in form, or lack of performance.” He concluded firmly: “On that, we’ll be inflexible.”
Scaloni also shared details about Argentina’s logistical planning for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. “The idea is, if we can, to stay in one place as long as possible,” he said. “We’re looking at Kansas and Dallas.” The goal, he explained, is stability. “In terms of travel at this World Cup, it would give some peace of mind to stay based in one place. That’s what we have planned.”
Finally, Scaloni addressed the upcoming Finalissima against Spain, scheduled for March 27 in Qatar, and his relationship with Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente. “More than a friend, he was one of my teachers on the coaching course,” Scaloni said. “Besides teaching the course, he treated us in a very special way. You could talk to him, debate, discuss.”
On the match itself, Scaloni was measured. “It’s a nice game to play. It will be very difficult. Spain are a great national team.”
