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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni talks about World Cup team, being coach, players

Roy Nemer
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41

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about the 2022 World Cup, being a coach and the players.

Lionel Scaloni announced his list of 26 players for the 2022 World Cup and he has them all with him in Abu Dhabi. The team play the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday and Scaloni spoke at a press conference, here is what he had to say about the World Cup team:

“We made the list thinking of the best for the team. It’s logical that in a national team like ours, top players are left out. It was going to be difficult to decide who stays out because they are players who are there.

“Football wise, we have no player with the characteristics of Lo Celso. Beyond that, those who had to replace him when he wasn’t there have done well. We’re not going to tactically change the team.

“Tagliafico trained separately because he was tired from the trip. Acuña missed his team’s last games. Cuti, today, will be a little more demanding. We are not going to risk anyone that can represent a problem for us in the future.

“I haven’t spoken too much with Dybala. His club handled his recovery well. We were very calm about his recovery. He deserved this chance.

“I see Messi as always, wanting to enjoy the World Cup.”

About the 2022 World Cup:

“More than saying that the World Cup is won by the team that defends well, I say that it’s won by the team that is cautious and knows how to be intelligent.

“We went to see Saudi Arabia. They’re a very fast team. It’s the first game at the World Cup, therefore, it’s very particular. All the World Cup games will be difficult. Saudi Arabia is a difficult rival.

“The preview to a World Cup is a moment to enjoy. We dream, like every kid playing a World Cup. In Pujato, I have a photo of me with the Argentina shirt when I was 7 years old that I see every once in a while. Today, I am lucky to be in charge of my country’s team.”

Regarding being a coach:

“When I played, I wasn’t as calm, it was the complete opposite of how I am. I learned a lot from the coaches I had. I am one that thinks that the coach has to be the example of the group. I try to transmit that.

“In the same way that when we took in charge, we didn’t think about every first experience. Today, we don’t think that we are going to debut as a coaching staff in a World Cup. I am happy and content to be at the head of this group.”

In regards to the game against the United Arab Emirates:

“It’s an official game, you can’t make more changes than FIFA authorizes. We’re not going to take any risks in the friendly with the United Arab Emirates.”

Argentina shirts numbers announced for the 2022 World Cup

Roy Nemer
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42

The Argentina shirt numbers for the 2022 World Cup have been announced.

For 19 of the 26 players for the Argentina national team, this will be their first World Cup. And they now have their kit numbers. Here they are:

  1. Franco Armani
  2. Juan Foyth
  3. Nicolás Tagliafico
  4. Gonzalo Montiel
  5. Leandro Paredes
  6. Germán Pezzella
  7. Rodrigo De Paul
  8. Marcos Acuña
  9. Julián Álvarez
  10. Lionel Messi
  11. Ángel Di María
  12. Gerónimo Rulli
  13. Cristian Romero
  14. Exequiel Palacios
  15. Nicolás Gonzalez
  16. Joaquín Correa
  17. Alejandro Gómez
  18. Guido Rodríguez
  19. Nicolás Otamendi
  20. Alexis Mac Allister
  21. Paulo Dybala
  22. Lautaro Martínez
  23. Emiliano Martínez
  24. Enzo Fernández
  25. Lisandro Martínez
  26. Nahuel Molina

Lionel Messi on Argentina, Lionel Scaloni, playing European teams, growing up

Roy Nemer
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34

Lionel Messi spoke about the Argentina national team, the fans, coach Lionel Scaloni, playing against European teams and growing up.

Messi commented on playing for the Argentina national team. Speaking in an interview with Jorge Valdano on Universo Valdano, here is what he had to say:

“I told my dad we had to do something so that people in Argentina knew I was here (at Barcelona). I went to two friendlies with the youth team and they already knew me. I wanted to be there, with the Argentina national team.”

About winning the Copa America:

“After so much, an impressive moment has arrived with the Argentina national team. There were so many years and so many disappointments. That’s why I cried at the last Copa America.”

He also spoke about the Argentina fans:

“I always felt the affection of the Argentine people but there was always a part of Argentina that always questioned me. They had opinions about everything I did.”

Regarding Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni:

“Scaloni has always had a very special personality, ever since he was a player. He’s great at preparing for games. The best thing he has is the communication. He chose a group without thinking about what the others said. He’s very simple, normal, realistic.”

In regards to playing European teams:

“We didn’t have many games against European teams. I think we’re in a good moment but we must not fall into the mistake of people’s madness and believe we’re favourites to win the World Cup. We have to be realistic and take it step by step.”

Jorge Valdano once told him about how “Mascherano once said it would be crazy to be Messi for 5 minutes.” Messi said this:

“Being Messi has its negative side, I sometimes wish I wasn’t famous. I don’t like being the center of attention or feeling that people are looking at me. But I’ve gotten used to it.”

He spoke about growing up in Argentina:

“The streets taught me a lot. I left Argentina when I was young but I learned a lot before I left.”

About football:

“I believe that football has changed a lot. It’s more difficult to see a different player, one that is out of the ordinary. Because from a young age, they force you to play in a certain way. I think it has changed a lot. Football will be more tactical.”

Lionel Messi comments on winning 2021 Copa America, World Cup favorites, women’s football

Roy Nemer
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5

Lionel Messi commented on winning the 2021 Copa America, the World Cup favorites and women’s football.

Messi spoke about what it meant to win the 2021 Copa America with the Argentina national team. Speaking in an interview with CONMEBOL, with Ezequiel Lavezzi as one of the hosts, here is what Messi had to say:

“The Copa America was special because it was what I most wanted and the one that cost me the most.

“I had already lost many finals. I had won everything with Barcelona and on a personal level but with the national team, it was the one I was missing.”

Regarding who the favorites are to win the World Cup:

“The candidates are always the same. There are a few surprises but in general, the big teams are the candidates. Above the rest? Brazil, France, England. Today, they are a little above the rest but anything can happen.”

In regards to women’s football:

“Women’s football is growing a lot worldwide and more and more women are interested and practice it.”

He also spoke about how he is:

“You always have to believe big. In everything I do, I try to think like that and that everything can turn out as one intends.”

About life once he stops playing football:

“I guess I’ll still be linked to football after I retire but I still don’t know.

“I don’t see myself as a coach, today, it doesn’t catch my attention.”

Lavezzi: “You are going to be the president of Newell’s” as Messi smiles.

Every Argentina national team player arrives for 2022 World Cup

Roy Nemer
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0

Every Argentina national team player has arrived for the 2022 World Cup.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has all of his players with him for the 2022 World Cup in Abu Dhabi. Emiliano Dibu Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister and Lisandro Martínez arrived an hour ago, early Tuesday morning in the United Arab Emirates.

The team held a training session at Al Nahyan stadium with fans in attendance on Monday. Scaloni had 14 players available for the training as Nicolás Otamendi, Enzo Fernández, Papu Gómez, Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña arrived shortly after the training had ended.

Here were the players which trained:

Lionel Messi
Ángel Di María
Rodrigo De Paul
Leandro Paredes
Guido Rodríguez
Julián Álvarez
Exequiel Palacios
Franco Armani
Gerónimo Rulli
Juan Foyth
Nicolás Tagliafico
Cristian Cuti Romero
Nahuel Molina
Germán Pezzella

Nicolás Tagliafico trained separately from the team but is not injured. He trained alone since he had played the full game for Lyon on Saturday.

They will also play against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. It will be the first time that all 26 players for the 2022 World Cup will be able to train and play together.

The team trained with Franco Armani and Gerónimo Rulli as the goalkeepers. Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala, Nicolás González and Joaquín Correa arrived to Abu Dhabi as the team trained.

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