Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni says Lionel Messi will remain the world’s best player for as long as he wants to play, praising the eight-time Ballon d’Or winne’s passion, longevity and extraordinary talent.
Speaking about his captain’s remarkable longevity ahead of Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, Scaloni dismissed suggestions that age has diminished Messi’s brilliance.
“At 39, some might think he’s no longer at the same level, but I don’t know how many times I’ve said it: as long as Messi still wants to play, he’ll remain the best. That’s what I believe, and not because I’m his coach,” Scaloni said.
The World Cup-winning coach believes Messi’s greatest strength is not just his talent but his enduring passion for football.
“As long as he has the desire, he’ll stay the best. The day will eventually come when he loses that desire, and only then will he stop being the best,” he added.
Scaloni also reflected on Messi’s legendary years at Barcelona under Pep Guardiola, admitting he can only imagine how extraordinary the Argentine superstar was during his prime.
“I can’t even imagine what he was like at 23 or 24 with Barcelona under Guardiola. We’ve talked about this a lot within the technical staff, and watching that version of him must have been something indescribable,” he said.
The Argentina coach noted that players who faced Messi during those years often recount how impossible he was to stop, describing that period as one of the greatest peaks ever reached by a footballer.
“If you ask any player who lived through that period, they’ll tell you what Leo was doing back then. As for me, nothing he delivers surprises me,” Scaloni remarked.
Messi, who has already cemented his place among football’s greatest players after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles, and eight Ballon d’Or awards, continues to lead Argentina despite approaching his 39th birthday.
Scaloni’s comments come amid ongoing debate over how much longer the Argentine icon can continue at the highest level. However, the coach made it clear that for him, Messi’s age is secondary to his motivation.
With Argentina once again among the favourites at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Scaloni believes the team’s fortunes remain closely tied to a player he considers unparalleled.
For the man who guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, the verdict is simple: as long as Lionel Messi wants to keep playing, he remains the benchmark by which every footballer is measured.
