Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has encouraged Lionel Messi to continue playing for “as long as possible”.
Messi, 36 years old, who recently completed his first season with American club Inter Miami, did not give any indication about when he will retire from football.
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“We tell him [Messi] “He should play as long as possible,” Scaloni told Christian Vieri. Twitch interview.
“He has proven that he has no end. You never know when he will give up [it] higher. “It’s unbelievable.”
According to Scaloni, the football field is a refuge for the player.
He added: “He is happy on the football field.” “Apart from that, I think it’s difficult to be a Leo because he comes out of his house and is surrounded by a lot of people. On the pitch, where the ball is, he’s happy.”
At least for Messi, he has the triumph he was missing in his career after winning the 2022 World Cup.
Messi was chosen as the best player in the tournament held in Qatar after he scored seven goals and assisted three others in seven matches as Argentina won its first world title in 36 years.
“Everyone says the World Cup is the most extraordinary thing for a player,” Scaloni said. “He was missing [winning] world Cup.
“I think as good as he is, he also played [in Qatar] With his heart. Then it becomes unstoppable.”
Scaloni is still impressed by Messi’s talent, even after he has coached him since 2018.
“Watching it up close, it’s very difficult to describe,” Scaloni said. “You have to see him. If I told you the things he does in training, you wouldn’t believe me. It’s crazy.”
Messi has expressed his desire to continue playing for Argentina but unlike teammate Angel Di Maria, who announced he will retire after the 2024 Copa America, the former Barcelona star has not made a decision.
“I think he can continue playing [for the national team] Scaloni said about Messi: “But the decision is up to him. He can play wherever he wants and the team arranges itself around him.” “
Messi, who has a contract with Inter Miami until December 2025, suffered a muscle injury while playing for Argentina in a 1-0 win over Brazil on November 21.
In October, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner expressed his desire to play football for the foreseeable future.
“I don’t know if I have a lot or a little ahead of me, but after my career, the only thing left for me is to continue enjoying it,” Messi said.
He added: “As long as I am physically healthy, I will continue to compete, and hopefully for a long time.”
