Scaloni not surprised by Messi’s World Cup form at 39 – ‘He’s a machine’

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's head coach, has dismissed concerns about Lionel Messi's ability to perform at the highest level despite being 39 years old. The captain arrived at his sixth World Cup following recovery from a muscle strain, yet has emerged as one of the tournament's standout performers. Messi has netted eight goals across five matches, positioning himself near the top of the Golden Boot standings and extending his career World Cup goal tally to 21, a record in the competition's history.

Scaloni attributed Messi's sustained excellence to the player's dedication and preparation work with his fitness coach, though he noted the statistical output remains consistent with previous tournaments. The coach emphasized that Messi's impact transcends measurable metrics, describing him as operating like "a machine" when fully engaged and sensing opportunities to create danger on the pitch. Messi's contributions have been decisive in crucial moments, including a goal and assist during Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the round of 16.

When addressing Messi's two missed penalties during the tournament, Scaloni made clear he would not consider removing penalty-taking duties from his captain. The coach stated he would allow Messi complete autonomy in tactical decisions, trusting the player's judgment on the field. Scaloni rejected the notion that age would diminish Messi's capabilities, asserting that the forward will maintain his status as the world's premier player for as long as he remains committed to competition.

Argentina's next challenge comes against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, with Scaloni acknowledging the opponent's strength and tournament experience. He noted Switzerland's achievement in reaching the last eight for the first time in 72 years following a penalty shootout victory over Colombia.