Lionel Messi influences everything in the Argentina camp, with Lionel Scaloni revealing the all-time’s great contribution to him staying on as boss.

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Coach considered walking away
Won football’s ultimate prize
Senior stars convinced him to stay

WHAT HAPPENED?

On the back of a World Cup triumph at Qatar 2022, the man in charge of the Albiceleste began to ask questions of whether his journey was complete. He had achieved the ultimate goal, having already savoured Copa America and Finalissima triumphs, and mulled over whether the time had come to walk away.

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WHAT SCALONI SAID

Revealing how he reached the decision to extend his spell as head coach, and the role Messi played in that, Scaloni has said: “I spoke with Leo and other players. With him because he is the captain, because of what he represents. It was that day that everyone said I was going to go. He received me very well. I spoke with other players, with Angel (Di Maria), with Lautaro (Martinez), with many players, with whom I believed I had to talk. They are people that I trust a lot, that I love a lot. Ota (Nicolas Otamendi), Rodrigo (De Paul)…players who have been with us from day one and who have given us a lot. I needed to speak and give my opinion to them.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Scaloni is tied to a contract through to the end of Argentina’s World Cup defence in 2026, but he added on considering a departure and when the day will come for him to leave a prominent post: “We needed to stop the ball a little bit, it had been a difficult year beyond having won, where many things had happened. There were some personal things that we had to think about and from there, make decisions. We met with those who we thought we had to talk to, we discussed our concerns and the most important thing is to know that we were all strong to continue. You never know the deadlines, I continue and that’s it.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?

Argentine are readying themselves for another shot at Copa America glory in the United States this summer, with Messi ruled out of their plans for now as they prepare to take in friendly dates with El Salvador and Costa Rica during the March international break.