Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has firmly shut down any suggestions that Lionel Messi will be stripped of penalty duties at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the iconic captain retains complete autonomy on the pitch.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes quarter-final clash against Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium, Scaloni laughed off concerns surrounding Messi’s recent struggles from twelve yards. The 39-year-old forward has endured an unprecedented rough patch from the spot, missing two penalties during this tournament. The first flew wide in a group-stage encounter against Austria, and the second was saved by Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir during a chaotic Round of 16 tie in Atlanta. The latter miss handed Messi an unwanted piece of history as the first player to miss four non-shootout penalties in World Cup history.
Despite these blemishes, Messi has single-handedly dragged the defending champions through adversity, racking up eight goals and an assist to sit joint-top in the Golden Boot race alongside France’s Kylian Mbapp. When pressed on whether tactical interventions were needed to hand penalty responsibilities to someone else, Scaloni offered an uncompromising response.
“It wouldn’t even cross my mind to go and tell him not to,” Scaloni said in a press conference on Friday.
“Let him do whatever he wants. 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.”
‘MESSI’S FORM NOT A SURPRISE’
Messi’s ability to remain the tournament’s central protagonist at 39 years of age has captivated global audiences, but for the man managing him, it is business as usual.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Scaloni said.
“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 knockout journey has been far from straightforward, requiring extra time against Cape Verde before fighting back from a 2-0 deficit against Egypt to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory. Addressing the secrets behind Messi’s extraordinary athletic longevity and how he continues to sustain such physical output, Scaloni credited meticulous sports science rather than a drastic change in playing style.
“Leo runs more or less the same in every match,” Scaloni told reporters. “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.”
“What is clear is that he’s giving everything he has. When he gives everything he has and senses that he can create danger, he is a machine,” the coach added.
As Argentina prepare for a defensive, well-drilled Swiss test, the squad appears unified behind their talisman. Scaloni’s message remains clear: any decision regarding the next penalty begins and ends with Lionel Messi.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
– Ends
