The captain of the Argentina National Team highlighted the coach's decisive role in building a winning team that led them to win several titles
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Lionel Messi once again brought Lionel Scaloni's role as the architect of the most successful era in the recent history of theArgentina National Team to the forefront. In an interview with ESPN, the captain highlighted the coach's influence in building a competitive team that won everything: Copa América, Finalissima, and the long-awaited World Cup.
Messi especially valued the bond that Scaloni managed to establish with the squad: "I believe he set a standard, established an idea. The best thing he did, beyond all his football knowledge, is the closeness he has with the players; the way he knows how to reach them. He built all of this, bringing in new players, some of whom weren't known in Argentina. That has everyone focused on the fact that at any moment they could be drafted".
The Rosario native also emphasized the group's intensity and competitive spirit, something he also attributed to the leader of the process: "This is a group of many young guys with a winning mentality. In training sessions, they go all out, they kick each other, but on the field everyone gives their all. Afterwards, they apologize and everything is fine. That was Scaloni's doing".
Messi destacó la mentalidad que transmite Scaloni
In a squad that is constantly renewing itself, Messi believes that La Albiceleste is experiencing a moment that can't be missed: "There are still new faces, and when a group is like this, it's easier for those coming from outside to fit in. This is a moment that Argentina must take advantage of".
Looking back, in another part of the interview, the "Pulga" recalled what it was like to share a locker room with Scaloni: "Now he's become much more serious, but as a teammate he was a character who was always joking around. I always tease him: that in the 2006 World Cup he used to kick me a lot", he said with a laugh. He pointed out that the good relationship has existed since then, strengthened during Jorge Sampaoli's tenure: "Since he became the head coach, the dialogue has remained the same".
Según Messi, Scaloni es mucho más serio ahora que cuando era jugador
Finally, regarding his future and the chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup, Messi avoided making any big statements, although he appeared optimistic: "I hope to have a proper preseason for that and I'm going to take it day by day, being honest and realistic so I can feel good. This year I felt very good; I was fortunate to play many matches. I hope that at the beginning of next year it will be the same way as well".
