Scaloni insists Messi is still performing at the highest level
By Joel Masibo, July 11, 2026Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has brushed aside doubts about Lionel Messi’s fitness, insisting the veteran forward remains in outstanding physical shape as the reigning champions prepare to face Switzerland in Suday’s, July 12, 2026, FIFA World Cup quarter-final duel.
Speaking before the clash at Kansas City Stadium on Friday, Scaloni revealed that performance data collected by the team shows Messi is maintaining the same work rate he displayed in previous international tournaments.
Messi still delivering
“He’s not running any more or any less than before. The numbers haven’t changed,” Scaloni said.
“The team supports him a lot. Physically, he’s prepared extremely well with his fitness coach and that’s paying off. He’s giving everything.”
The 39-year-old has already found the net eight times at the tournament, leaving him tied with France skipper Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot, although the French star has featured in one extra match.
Scaloni also dismissed suggestions that age has affected Messi’s sharpness in front of goal, expressing confidence that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner can continue delivering on football’s biggest stage.
“People who don’t know him might be surprised. At 39, some think he can’t rise to the challenge anymore, but as long as he wants to keep playing, he’ll continue to do it,” Scaloni said.
“Anyone who watches him train can’t imagine what he was like at 23 under [Pep] Guardiola at Barcelona. That’s why, if you ask his teammates, they’ll tell you the same thing: He’s the best, and he’ll remain the best for as long as he wants to play.”
The Argentina boss also reaffirmed that Messi will remain the team’s first-choice penalty taker despite missing two spot kicks during the competition.
“It never even crosses my mind to ask him to change. He decides what he wants to do,” he said.
Switching positions
Scaloni added that Messi is also free to determine his positioning during matches. He pointed to Argentina’s round-of-16 comeback against Egypt, where Messi shifted to the right wing, created Cristian Romero’s headed goal and later scored the equaliser after the team had fallen two goals behind.
“If he moves [to the right] and a teammate goes inside, that’s his decision,” the 48-year-old said. “The team adapts around him. The players understand when he’s involved in the build-up and moving into those areas. He decides whatever he wants to do.”
Scaloni admitted that the possibility of this being Messi’s final World Cup has inspired the squad even more.
“We know this will be his last World Cup, and that makes everything even more emotional,” he added.