Coach Lionel Scaloni commended Lionel Messi’s exceptional leadership skills, describing him as a role model for his teammates in the national team of Argentina. “Messi has a unique leadership style. As the captain, he inspires and encourages his team. He sets an example for others to follow, demonstrating how to overcome challenges. Messi is always cooperative with the coaching staff and displays exemplary behavior. It is truly a privilege to have him on the team,” Scaloni shared with Laureus Spirit of Sport.
A year ago today, Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory against France in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. The 36-year-old scored two crucial goals in the 3-3 draw before clinching the win in the penalty shootout with a successful kick. Throughout the tournament, Messi was the driving force behind Argentina’s success, netting five goals and providing three assists, playing a key role in eight out of the 12 goals his team scored from the group stage to the semi-finals.
The World Cup is the only title missing from Messi’s impressive collection. He led Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final, but they were defeated by Germany. Messi was then honored with the Golden Ball in 2023, marking his eighth time winning the award. Scaloni played a key role in Argentina’s championship victory as well. However, the 45-year-old coach acknowledged Messi as the main driving force, given his role as both captain and assistant coach. Reflecting on Argentina’s triumph, Scaloni shared his thoughts on witnessing Messi lift the coveted Cup a year ago. He expressed his hope for a repeat of the historic moment, admitting there are moments when he still can’t believe it. Looking back at their journey, Scaloni acknowledged the challenges they faced and how winning the World Cup seemed like an impossible feat in previous years. Despite having faith in their talented team, he recognized the intense difficulty of achieving such a significant victory.
Messi recently announced that he plans to stay on the Argentine national team until 2026, ensuring he will be playing in another World Cup. With Messi at the helm, Argentina is also gearing up to defend their Copa America title when the competition is held in the United States in 2024.
