Scaloni's Mission: Spare No Effort to Drag Messi to 2026 World Cup Glory
Lionel Scaloni vows to do everything possible to convince Lionel Messi for a sixth World Cup in 2026, despite the star's reservations about his fitness. Messi, turning 39 during the tournament, has been in fine form for Inter Miami and will feature in Argentina's friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia. It'd be a massive upset if he skips the finals after such late involvement.
Scaloni's Mission: Spare No Effort to Drag Messi to 2026 World Cup Glory
Picture this: Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or king, potentially lacing up for a record sixth World Cup at the ripe old age of nearly 39. It's the stuff of legends, innit? But while Cristiano Ronaldo is all set to match that feat after debuting back in 2006, Messi's been playing coy, leaving Lionel Scaloni to twist arms – metaphorically, of course – to get him there.
The Gaffer's Desperate Plea
Ahead of Argentina's last-minute friendlies, Scaloni didn't mince words. "I'll do everything possible to make sure he's there," he told the press, as if La Albiceleste's World Cup dreams hinge on their talisman. And who can blame him? With under 100 days until kick-off, Argentina fancy themselves as the first side since Brazil in 1962 to defend the trophy.
"For the good of football, he should be there," Scaloni added. All Argentines – nay, the whole bloody world – want to see Messi weaving magic one last time. But it's Messi's call, depending on his noggin, fitness, and whether he fancies playing every minute. Fair play, the bloke's earned that right after dragging the lot of them to glory.
Scaloni's not rushing him, mind. Messi himself has been banging on about taking it "day by day" since September, citing a brutal schedule at Inter Miami and nagging setbacks. Sounds like your nan after a heavy weekend, doesn't it?
Messi's MLS Marathon and Injury Dodges
Fast-forward to now, and Messi's been a machine in MLS. He's featured in six of seven games for Inter Miami since late February 2026, including a cheeky goal in their 3-2 thriller over New York City FC on 22 March. Every single minute played – proper grafter – though he got a breather against Charlotte FC a fortnight back.
Turning 39 mid-tournament? Absolute bonkers. Yet, with him still turning out for Argentina this deep into prep, it'd be a right shocker if he bails. Scaloni confirmed the maestro will feature against Mauritania and Zambia at the iconic La Bombonera, though starting line-up's TBC. These scrappy African sides (ranked 116th and 88th in FIFA rankings) were the best available after the Finalissima got canned over Middle East tensions.
No matches would've robbed Scaloni of vital squad assessment time before naming the provisional roster. Desperate times, eh?
Why This Matters More Than Your Fantasy League
Let's be real: Messi's World Cup involvement isn't just nostalgia fodder. It's box office. Ronaldo's chasing his own history in Qatar 2022 (wait, no – this is 2026 vibes), but Messi's the one with the Copa America and World Cup bling already. Scaloni's rallying cry feels like a pub pact: we'll bend over backwards so you can etch your name deeper into eternity.
Original reporting by Stats Perform at OneFootball highlights how Argentina scrambled for these games. With the Herons flying in MLS, Messi's legs look good – for now. If he sits it out, expect pitchforks from Buenos Aires to Miami.
So, mates, grab your bifters and mark the calendar. Will the GOAT grace 2026? Scaloni's betting the farm he will. And if he does, it'll be the tournament of our lives.