​Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is not surprised by Lionel Messi’s physical condition at 39, and reiterated his belief that the captain will remain the best player in the world for as long as he chooses to keep playing. Messi has been central to Argentina’s World Cup run, scoring eight goals in five matches to sit just behind France’s Kylian Mbappe—who has played one game more—in the Golden Boot race. The diminutive forward also sparked a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16 and now holds the title of World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 21 goals in his career.
Against the North Africans, the Inter Miami star netted once and set up a Cristian Romero goal after Argentina fell behind 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining. Messi arrived at his sixth World Cup amid questions about his fitness after recently recovering from a muscle strain. “Leo runs about the same in almost every match,” Scaloni told reporters on Friday. “Physically, it’s true that he has done preparation work with his fitness coach, and it has paid off, but in terms of numbers, I don’t know if he has changed that much.” He added: “What is clear is that he’s giving everything he has. When he gives everything and senses that he can create danger, he is a machine.”
Messi’s figures at the tournament could be even more impressive had he not missed two penalties—in the matches against Egypt and Austria—but Scaloni refused to remove the spot-kick duties from his inspirational captain. “It wouldn’t even cross my mind to tell him not to [take the next penalty]. Let him do whatever he wants,” Scaloni said. “We have players who can take them, but he’ll take it if he wants to, and if not, that’s up to him. Let him do whatever he wants out on the pitch.” Scaloni also stressed that underestimating Messi’s form with age is a mistake, saying those who expect that 39-year-olds cannot sustain this level simply do not know the player well enough.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” he declared. “Maybe people who don’t know him expected that at 39 he wouldn’t be at this level, but I don’t know how many times I’ve said it: as long as he wants to, he will be the best. I think that, and not because I’m his coach.” Argentina’s quarterfinal opponent is Switzerland, whom Scaloni described with respect as a very good team that reached the last eight for the first time in 72 years by edging Colombia on penalties after a goalless draw. “There are no easy rivals, we all know that,” he said. “They are a very good team. They compete with the best national teams and always come through. They may win or lose, but they always compete. They have World Cup tradition, experienced players and are physically strong.”
If Argentina overcome Switzerland, they would advance to a semifinal clash with England or Norway. Scaloni emphasized that there is no room for complacency, and that his side must maintain the same hunger and discipline that has carried them this far. He also praised Switzerland’s resilience and noted that their opponents carry a blend of tactical discipline and physical robustness that demands full focus from Argentina as they push toward another deep run in the tournament.