Lionel Scaloni hailed Lionel Messi as “pure historical past” and a “legend” as he prepares for what might be his remaining match towards Argentina in a World Cup remaining.
Argentina will defend their title on Sunday on the New Jersey Stadium in New York, with Messi main the crew as they search their second World Cup victory.
The 39-year-old is more likely to play in his remaining World Cup match, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not he’ll proceed his worldwide profession after the match ends.
Messi has beforehand represented Argentina within the 2026 match and at present leads the Golden Boot race with eight objectives and 4 assists.
After 1966, the one participant to contribute extra objectives in a single competitors was Germany’s Gerd Müller (10 objectives, 3 assists) in 1970.
Messi took essentially the most photographs (34) and created essentially the most possibilities (25) on the 2026 World Cup. That is the best whole (59) since Diego Maradona in 1986 (29 photographs, 30 possibilities).
The Argentina captain will develop into solely the second participant within the historical past of the World Cup to seem in three World Cup finals (2014 and 2022), having been concerned in 15 objectives (seven objectives, eight assists) within the final 9 video games of the finals, and scoring or aiding in all 9 video games.
Scaloni didn’t need to touch upon Messi’s future, however stays filled with reward for the Argentine’s talisman.
“He is simply historical past,” Scaloni stated. “It’s a legend.
“It is unbelievable to achieve the ultimate on the age of 39. We have now to take pleasure in what occurred to him for what it’s. We are going to miss Diego (Maradona), however Messi continues to be with us.”
#MajorSelection Again to work!
We’re not going to cease. This retains individuals going. Please take it one step additional. #Collectively pic.twitter.com/S5tKkyHa5H
— Argentina Nationwide Crew (@Argentina) July 16, 2026
“He’s historical past, he’s a legend, and we are going to all the time keep in mind him, together with this group of people that gave us some nice years.”
Beneath Scaloni, Argentina gained the World Cup in addition to the final two Copa Americas.
Albiceleste enters the ultimate having gained all of their final 14 matches, and in the event that they win this match they may break the report for essentially the most wins within the historical past of any South American nation.
And goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is worked up to have the ability to additional contribute to their nice success.
“I am simply centered on successful. The entire crew has improved loads and that is one thing we have been constructing through the years,” Martinez stated.
“To be trustworthy, generally I cry to myself once I keep in mind what we achieved. I simply attempt to benefit from the second, as a result of as a footballer generally you do not actually know the place you’re in your profession.
“My message to my teammates is that they need to take pleasure in this second, smile and prepare. That is one thing we are going to keep in mind without end.”
