Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni declined to discuss Lionel Messi joining the 2026 World Cup, saying “we need to leave him alone.”
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“Leave Messi alone” says Scaloni
The status of Messi for the 2026 World Cup remains a major question after Argentina secured a spot in next year’s competition.
However, Scaloni said he will give the Inter Miami star to decide on his future.
“We will see what happens, there’s plenty of time,” Scaloni said.
“We must go one game a time otherwise [we] will be speaking about the same thing the rest of the year and we need to leave him alone, we will see. He will decide it whenever he wants, let’s not drive him crazy with this.”
Argentina players want Messi
Messi, 37, did not play for Argentina after sustaining a low-grade adductor muscle injury.
In his absence, Scaloni’s side defeated Uruguay 1-0 and then thrashed arch-rivals Brazil 4-1 on Tuesday.
Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, has missed several games for Inter Miami this season due to injury concerns.
His Argentina teammates have made it clear they hope for Messi’s return.
“With Messi we might have scored two or three more goals,” said striker Julian Alvarez, who scored a goal against Brazil.
“The best of our teams is always when the No. 10 is playing,” midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said.
“Because he is the greatest of all time.”
