Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni refused to rule out the prospect of Lionel Messi leading their defence of the World Cup in the 2026 after he inspired them to a third title in Qatar.
After scoring twice in the dramatic win over France on penalties, Messi said he would not retire from international football, but before the final he insisted this will be his fifth and final World Cup. Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot and scored in extra-time as Argentina and France drew 3-3 over 120 minutes in one of the great World Cup finals at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
The forward will be 39 in four years’ time, when Argentina will go to the USA, Mexico and Canada as the holders, but Scaloni is open to the possibility of his captain still being part of the squad.
"First of all, we need to save him a spot for the next World Cup in 2026," Scaloni said. "If he wants to keep playing, he’ll be with us. He’s more than entitled to decide if he wants to keep playing for Argentina or not, or what he wants to do with his career.
"It’s such a huge pleasure for us to coach him and his teammates. Everything that he transmits to his teammates is unparalleled, something I’ve never seen before. A player and person who gives so much to his teammates."
After converting from the spot after Angel Di Maria was fouled, Messi was involved in the outstanding move for the winger to make it 2-0 before half-time.
But Argentina were pegged back by Kylian Mbappe’s double within 97 seconds to take the game to extra-time.
Messi scored again to put La Albiceleste on the cusp on victory but Mbappe scored a memorable hat-trick with his second penalty of the match to set up spot-kicks. Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed from the spot as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties.
"The match was completely insane," said Scaloni.
"We should have won it in 90 minutes or in extra-time. We were fighters, we were very strong despite the goals from France we conceded. We didn’t deserve the draw, we kept fighting on. It was a similar match to the game against the Netherlands [in the quarter-final]. We kept fighting.”
Scaloni added: "These players play for their people, the Argentinian fans.
"There are no rivalries. Everyone is pulling in the same direction for their country. This is the greatest pride when you’re playing for your country. The players broke their back, achieved this title because they understood what they had to do on the pitch. We’re very happy and proud. Today we’re world champions and although it went to penalties we deserved to win."
It was Argentina’s first title since the late Diego Maradona inspired them to glory in Mexico in 1986 and Scaloni lamented that the legendary forward is not still around to enjoy the occasion.
"I’m sure if he was here he’d have enjoyed so much and been the first one on the pitch," Scaloni said. "I wish he was here to enjoy this moment."
