Lionel Scaloni will rest Lionel Messi for Argentina’s final World Cup group game against Jordan. Argentina have won their group with a game to spare – and Messi will start the clash in the AT&T Stadium on the bench.
The footballing icon, who has scored five goals in hist first two games, will play some part in the second half. Scaloni said: “Leo is going to start on the bench and will come on a little later. I will tell you because you deserve a sincere answer.”
But despite Messi being able to put his feet up for a change, Nicola Tagliafico has warned the rest of the World Cup his captain and talisman is producing even better football than he was four years ago. And back then Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
The 33-year-old Lyon left-back, who is playing at his third World Cup, has spent much of his career playing alongside Messi. But even he has been surprised by the form of the Argentina captain.
He said: “From what I have seen of Leo so far, he is at the same level as he was in 2022 or even better and we are enjoying this. I’m sure he is enjoying it too.”
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Messi turned 39 on Wednesday. To celebrate, the squad had a party at the team hotel and each player wore a T-shirt that included a picture of them with Messi printed on the front.
Tagliafico added: “He took it well. It was the idea of Rodrigo De Paul. It was something quite beautiful. We had a ball. We had a blast. It was just amazing. Leo has had many birthdays during tournaments and we spend a lot of time with each other away from our families, but this felt like we were among family.”
How the world found out Messi wouldn’t play
Relationships between journalists and football managers can be a complicated business.
Relationships which are not always on good terms. But Argentina manager Scaloni has paid the ultimate tribute to journalistic legend Enrique Macaya Márquez, who is reporting on his 18th World Cup.
When Marquez asked Scaloni what role Messi would have in Argentina’s final group game against Jordan in Dallas, the Argentine boss did what most managers never do – and offered up some vital information about his starting XI.
Scaloni said: “I will tell you because you deserve a sincere answer. To answer the question of someone who has been at 18 World Cups is truly an honour. I remember watching you on the television when I was playing.”
Scaloni hugged Marquez after the press conference. Márquez, 91, used to write for ‘El Clarin’ newspaper, and also worked as a commentator and analyst for Fox Sports.
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