Scaloni: "There is no clue for Messi, it would be crazy if I gave him one"
June 30, 2026 · Global
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni discussed how little instruction was given to Messi when he came off the bench, emphasizing the unique nature of managing a player as talented as Messi.
"What did I say? Are you really asking me this?": Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni did not believe the question asked in the press conference. A journalist recently asked a question: "What do you say to Messi when he comes off the bench?". This is because, for rotation reasons, for once Leo came on to replace another player in the middle of the match. "I said: 'Nico Paz is out, you come in', that's it. With him there is no need for anything else," stressed the coach. What more can be said to one of the best players in history who started this World Cup by scoring 6 goals in the first three games? "What instructions could I give him? 'Move there, go down to receive the ball'? It would be crazy if I gave instructions like that," added Scaloni. True, not all players are the same and not all should be treated in the same way: how can one lock up a Leo Messi in the face of certain tactical instructions? Scaloni knew that he might lose credibility, and by entrusting Messi's genius over the years, without tying him up with too many duties on the pitch, he has proven that he has made a good bet and continues to do so.