Argentina Coach: "We Will Prepare Messi's Jersey for the Next World Cup"

Messi also states "No retirement from the national team"

Lionel Scaloni, head coach of the Argentina national football team, is leading his national team training in Doha, Qatar, on the 15th (local time). Photo by EPA·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Lionel Scaloni, the 44-year-old head coach of the Argentina national football team, announced that he will make room for Lionel Messi in the next World Cup as well.

Argentina, led by Messi, won the 2022 Qatar World Cup final held at midnight on the 19th (Korean time) after a 2-2 draw in the regular 90 minutes, a 3-3 draw after extra time, and finally winning in the penalty shootout.

The Argentina team lifted the trophy for the first time in 36 years since the 1986 Mexico World Cup. Messi, who first appeared in the 2006 Germany World Cup, won the trophy after his fifth World Cup challenge.

On that day, Messi scored multiple goals leading Argentina to victory. Including the multi-goal performance in the final, he recorded a total of 7 goals and 3 assists in this tournament.

After the match, Coach Scaloni said at a press conference, "We must leave a place for Messi in the next World Cup tournament," adding, "If Messi says he will play in the next World Cup, we will definitely prepare his uniform."

He added, "Messi has earned the right to do anything in his career. The influence Messi conveys to his teammates in the locker room is amazing."

He continued, "After beating Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final, I talked with Messi. I explained that we have a big task and that the Argentine people hope for a World Cup victory," adding, "The pressure increased, but Messi told me, 'We must keep moving forward and nothing else matters,' which gave me tremendous emotional motivation." He also said, "I realized that we were just about to achieve something great."

Although there were many talks that this World Cup would be Messi’s last appearance due to his mid-30s age, Messi, who lifted the trophy, showed his intention to continue his national team career for the time being. After the final, Messi said in an interview, "There is no retirement from the Argentina national team. I want to continue experiencing playing as a world champion."