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DOHA: Victorious Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it was up to Lionel Messi to decide whether he wants to play at another World Cup as the South American nation celebrated a dramatic win over France on Sunday’s.
Scaloni, who was emotional in his post-match press conference at the Lusail Stadium, praised his players for “breaking their backs” to win the nation’s third World Cup.
Earlier in the tournament Messi said the tournament in Qatar would be his last but Scaloni said the ball was in the veteran forward’s court.
The coach told reporters it was up to Messi to set a timescale on his retirement when asked about the possibility of his playing at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us,” Scaloni said. “He is more than entitled to decide whether he wants to keep playing for Argentina or not or what he wants to do with his career.
“He is such a huge player for us. It is such a pleasure for us to coach him and his team-mates. Everything he transmits to his team-mates is unparalleled — something I’ve never seen before.”
After the match Messi vowed to continue playing international football despite realising his lifetime ambition, but he admitted his career was in its final stages. “I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion... my career is nearly over because these are my last years,” said Messi.
Scaloni praised his men for digging deep against defending champions France.
“We have fighters who were very strong despite the goals that we conceded,” he said. These players play for their people, play for Argentina fans — that’s what I have always seen,” he added.
The coach was asked what he had told his players at the beginning of extra time after France had come back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 in normal time, and before the penalty shoot-out.
“I told them we had to be optimistic,” he said. “We kept on attacking and before the penalty shootout the same thing — I told them to remain calm.”
Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2022
