Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Monday that he did not discuss the upcoming World Cup with Lionel Messi, who has questioned his participation in the tournament, and affirmed that he has a solid roster for next year’s tournament in North America.
“I didn’t talk to Messi about the next World Cup. Whatever he decides is fine,” said the Albiceleste coach at a press conference on Monday.
“The percentage of the list today is not clear to me, we are still far away. Many things can happen, but we have a base, not much will come out of it. When they tell us how many players will go to the World Cup, we will make decisions. We have a base for the World Cup, everyone knows that. Not much will come out of it,” he insisted.
“Ecuador will be a tough test”
Regarding Ecuador, Argentina’s opponent this Tuesday in the closing match of the South American World Cup qualifiers, he emphasized: “We are playing against a team that has been doing well for a long time. It is a good test for us. We will probably make some more changes, apart from those forced by Leo (Messi) and Cuti (Romero)”.
“I think those who have played less deserve to play, that’s the idea. Lautaro Martínez will have a chance to play tomorrow and we will see in which system, and Alexis Mac Allister is available,” he added.
“Ecuador is one of the best teams in the world and will make things difficult not only for us but for any team. They have had a very clear game for a long time; first with Gustavo (Alfaro), then with Félix Sánchez Bas and now with Sebastián (Beccacece),” he said.
Argentina’s identity does not change
On the comparison between the performance of the Argentine national team in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup and the current ones, he said: “We played great matches with the team that won the World Cup and with this one as well. Now we have young players who give us more verticality, some who play well with the ball. The idea of the game is no different, the identity is the same”.
“I think we have worked with the ideas we had from day one, which were a sense of belonging, playing without obligation and respect for our teammates and others. Those were the things we set out when we came here,” he added.
Scaloni avoids talking about his future
When asked about his future after the next World Cup, the coach answered: “I am thinking about what is coming now, I have never been one to think beyond that, it is not the right thing to do. We are focused on tomorrow’s match, the friendlies and the ones to come. I’m fine now and we’ll see what happens.
Scaloni also referred to Nicolás Otamendi, who on Thursday played his last home game in the World Cup qualifiers: “He deserves recognition, he has given us a huge hand. For us he is a very important player, he will be remembered for everything he did. Yes, he will be the captain tomorrow against Ecuador”.
Finally, Scaloni referred to Spain, his opponent in the Finalísima: “Spain under Luis de la Fuente is doing an exceptional job. They are one of the best teams and play soccer that fans like. There are others that are very good at playing in a different way,” reported EFE.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
