Lionel Scaloni says Lionel Messi's legacy should be appreciated now, not after it's over
Lionel Scaloni believes football should celebrate Lionel Messi while he is still playing, with the Argentina coach describing his captain as "the best player in the history of football" ahead of Sunday's FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain. Speaking before the showdown at MetLife Stadium, Scaloni urged supporters to value Messi's remarkable career rather than waiting until retirement to reflect on it.
The comments came three days after Argentina's dramatic 2-1 semi-final victory over England, a result that booked the defending champions a place in a second successive World Cup final. Messi, now 39 and appearing at his sixth World Cup, again played a decisive role and embraced Scaloni on the pitch after the final whistle. The Argentina captain later described the comeback win as "pure history", while his coach used the build-up to the final to underline just how unusual Messi's longevity has become.
Scaloni's message: Enjoy Lionel Messi while you still can
Scaloni's strongest remarks centred not on Sunday's opponents but on Messi's place in football history. The Argentina manager said the forward had already secured legendary status through his achievements with both club and country, including ending Argentina's 28-year wait for a major international trophy before adding a World Cup title and consecutive Copa América crowns.
The coach argued that supporters should recognise those accomplishments in the present rather than only after Messi leaves the international stage.
"It fills me with pride because he is the best player in the history of football. To have been able to get to a final in the way that he has, at the age of 39, I think it is incredible. That is why I said we should enjoy having him, because look at what happened with Diego (Maradona) and how we ended up missing him. We still have Leo and we should appreciate that."
Scaloni also reflected on Argentina's wider journey under this generation of players. Before lifting the 2021 Copa América, the national team had endured nearly three decades without a major senior international title despite reaching multiple finals. According to the coach, the current squad has changed expectations by consistently competing for football's biggest trophies.
From Maradona's legacy to Messi's longevity
Scaloni also drew a historical comparison that quickly attracted attention across football. Referring to Diego Maradona, the coach said Argentina only fully appreciated the 1986 World Cup winner after his playing career had ended, adding that supporters should avoid repeating that mistake with Messi.
The comparison reflects the unique place both players occupy in Argentine football. Maradona inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico in 1986 and remained the country's defining football figure for decades. Messi eventually matched that achievement by leading Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 before guiding the national side to another World Cup final four years later. While debates over the greatest player continue among fans, Scaloni made clear that, in his view, Messi has already earned that distinction through both sustained excellence and longevity. His comments were widely shared on social media following the pre-match press conference, with supporters praising the coach's tribute to his captain. Reports from NDTV Sports and international media also highlighted the emotional tone of Scaloni's remarks ahead of what could become another landmark match in Messi's international career.
Spain stand between Argentina and another world title
Although much of the press conference centred on Messi, Scaloni also stressed that Argentina's immediate focus remains Sunday's final against Spain. The defending champions face one of the tournament's most consistent sides after Spain eliminated France to reach the championship match.
Argentina, meanwhile, secured their place by defeating England 2-1 in the semi-finals. Scaloni avoided looking beyond the final itself, saying preparation remained centred on producing another complete team performance rather than relying solely on individual brilliance. That approach has characterised Argentina throughout his tenure, with experienced leaders supported by a disciplined and tactically organised squad.
"It's impossible not to admire what he's still doing at 39."
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What Scaloni's comments mean
Scaloni's remarks went beyond simple praise of his captain. They reflected the continuity Argentina has built since ending its long wait for major silverware in 2021 and the central role Messi continues to play within that success. By comparing the current moment with how Maradona is remembered, the coach encouraged supporters to recognise a historic career in real time rather than through nostalgia years later.
Attention now turns to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, where Argentina will attempt to defend the title they won in Qatar. Regardless of the outcome against Spain, Scaloni's tribute has already become one of the defining talking points of the build-up, underlining the esteem in which Messi is held by the man who has coached him through the most successful period of his international career.