Spanish
Lionel Scaloni, Argentine coach, said this Monday that he did not talk about the next World Cup with Lionel Messi, who has questioned his participation in the tournament, and stated that he has a consolidated base for the list for the North American event next year.
"I didn't speak with Messi about the next World Cup. Whatever he decides is fine," the albiceleste coach stated this Monday in a press conference.
"The percentage of the list today is not clear to me, we are still far from it. Many things can happen, but we have a base, it won't be far from that. When they tell us how many players will go to the World Cup, we will make decisions. We have a base for the World Cup, everyone already knows that. It won't be far from that," he insisted.
Regarding the selection of Ecuador, Argentina's rival this Tuesday in the closing of the South American World Cup qualifiers, he emphasized: "We are playing against a team that has been doing things well for some time. It's a good test for us. We will surely make some more changes, apart from those required by Leo (Messi) and Cuti (Romero)."
"I think those who have played the least deserve to play, that's the idea. Lautaro Martínez will have the chance to play tomorrow and we'll see in what system, and Alexis Mac Allister is available," he added.
"Ecuador is one of the best national teams in the world and will make things difficult not only for us but for any national team. They have had a very clear game for a long time; first with Gustavo (Alfaro), then with Félix Sánchez Bas and now with Sebastián (Beccacece)," he highlighted.
Regarding the comparison between the performance of the Argentine national team in the qualifiers prior to the 2022 World Cup and the current ones, he stated: "We played great games with the team that won the World Cup and with this one as well. Now, young players have emerged who give us more verticality, some who play well with the ball. The idea of the game is not different, the identity is the same."
"I think we've worked with the ideas we had from day one, which were a sense of belonging, playing without obligation, and respect for teammates and the rest. Those were the things we set out to do when we came," he added.
When asked about his future after the next World Cup, the coach replied: "I'm thinking about what's coming now, I've never been one to think beyond that, it's not appropriate. We are focused on tomorrow's match, the friendlies and those to come. I'm fine now and we'll see what happens."
Scaloni also referred to Nicolás Otamendi, who on Thursday played his last home match of the World Cup qualifiers: "He deserves the recognition, he has given us a huge hand. For us he is a very important player, he will be remembered for everything he did. Yes, he will be the captain tomorrow against Ecuador"
Finally, Scaloni referred to Spain, his rival in the Finalissima: "The Spain with Luis de la Fuente is doing an exceptional job. It is one of the best teams and plays a football that the fans like. There are others that are very good playing in another way."
