MY ACCOUNT
Lionel Scaloni says it is not the right time to think about Argentina’s future without Lionel Messi but to instead enjoy the superstar forward while they still have him.
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi revealed after already-qualified Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela on Friday that he will assess his future after Qatar 2022.
The Paris Saint-Germain star helped Argentina to a first Copa America triumph since 1993 last year and will now have his sights on a first World Cup crown since 1986.
Beyond the tournament at the end of this year, however, Messi admitted he “does not know” what the future holds in terms of his international career.
Scaloni will respect Messi’s decision either way and accepts the 34-year-old – who has 81 goals in 159 caps for La Albiceleste – cannot continue forever.
“After playing in a World Cup, everyone has to make an assessment,” he said at a pre-match news conference ahead of Tuesday’s final qualifier against Ecuador.
“I’m not in the heads of my players to know what they’re thinking. In any case, you have to enjoy it. You don’t have to think about the future – enjoy their spectacular present.
“It’s the rule of life that at some point [retirement] will happen. It’s useless thinking about what will happen after the World Cup.”
Angel Di Maria is another who appears to be nearing the end of his career with Argentina after posting an emotional tribute to supporters following the win against Venezuela.
The PSG attacker scored one and created another in that victory at La Bombonera – Argentina’s 30th consecutive match without defeat.
“I always dreamed of everything I lived on this beautiful night,” he said on social media. “It was probably my last match with this shirt in Argentina.
“Being able to say that it was a wonderful night is an understatement. Thank you, thank you and a thousand times thank you.”
Scaloni is unaware of any plans Di Maria has to call time on his international career, but like with Messi, he will let the player have the final say.
“I didn’t see the post but I understood it as being about this team, I would imagine,” Scaloni said. “I spoke with him some time ago.
“There is an age for everyone. Many trips have passed and many matches, which I imagine is difficult.
“I don’t know what’s going on in his head. If it was his last home game, it could not have gone any better – it was as though he dreamed it.
“But first let us play these games, then the World Cup, and then we’ll see. For now, let’s enjoy it.”
