Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi will remain the best player in the world for as long as he chooses to play.
The comments come as Argentina prepares for a critical World Cup quarter-final match against Switzerland. Scaloni's public support serves to stabilize the squad and counter growing speculation that Messi's age might hinder his performance in the tournament's knockout stages.
Speaking July 10, Scaloni said doubts regarding the fitness and capability of the 39-year-old forward were unfounded [1]. The manager highlighted Messi's continued dominance on the pitch, describing the player as a machine [2].
"Messi will stop being the best in the world whenever he decides to stop playing," Scaloni said [3].
The statistics support the manager's confidence. Messi has scored eight goals in five matches, a tally that puts him level with Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot [4]. This scoring rate demonstrates that Messi remains a primary offensive threat despite the physical demands of the tournament.
Beyond player performance, Scaloni addressed external pressures facing the team. He said allegations that FIFA has shown favoritism toward Argentina stem from a desire to see the team fail [5]. By addressing both the Messi speculation and the accusations of bias, Scaloni aimed to shield his players from distractions before the high-stakes match.
The quarter-final against Switzerland represents a pivotal moment for the defending champions. Argentina's progression depends heavily on the continued efficiency of their captain, who has maintained a scoring pace consistent with the world's top strikers [4]. Scaloni's insistence on Messi's superiority reinforces the team's tactical reliance on the veteran's playmaking, and finishing ability.
“"Messi will stop being the best in the world whenever he decides to stop playing."”
Scaloni's defense of Messi is a strategic move to maintain team morale and psychological dominance. By framing Messi's age as irrelevant and citing his Golden Boot contention, the manager shifts the narrative from physical decline to statistical excellence. This approach aims to neutralize Swiss tactical preparations that might focus on Messi's perceived fatigue while simultaneously shutting down external noise regarding FIFA's neutrality.
