Messi, cold anger and icy interview

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By: Manu Tournoux

Lionel Messi would not have liked the fact that the Argentinian coach, Lionel Scaloni, admitted his weariness in front of journalists, even though he had not warned his players.

There was a storm at the top of Albiceleste. More specifically between Lionel Messi and his Argentinian coach, Lionel Scaloni. It all started with the statement made by the latter during the press conference which followed Argentina’s victory against Brazil (0-1), during a match counting for the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Scaloni had left doubts about his desire and his will to continue the adventure. The problem is that he didn’t warn his players before. And that didn’t please Lionel Messi at all.

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In any case, this is what Jorge Rial said on Argentine radio, TN. “ Messi was on the phone. Imagine his happiness, he had just beaten Brazil on his home field, in a very hot match. Suddenly, someone sent him a message: ‘Che, during the press conference, Scaloni said that he wants to resign, that he wants to leave, that he has no more energy and that it will be difficult to continue.’ Neither Messi nor the other players knew about it. Messi was totally surprised (…).

Codes to respect

Obviously well informed, Jorge Rial continued his story, describing in particular the meeting between Messisi and Scaloni. “ At that moment, Messi saw Scaloni arriving and said to his interlocutor: ‘I’ll leave you, I have to go on a meeting with Scaloni who calls me’. Well, Messi left, and a minute or two minutes later he was talking to that person again, because the conversation with Scaloni lasted 32 seconds. Yes, 32 seconds. (…) I can tell you that the one who ended the conversation and left was Messi.

And the Argentine radio host concluded: “ There are codes to be strictly respected in football. Always and in all circumstances. And if a player might be annoyed to learn things through journalists, imagine what it is like for Messi. He didn’t appreciate what happened at all because there were players who also wanted to stop (retire internationally, editor’s note), but they ultimately stayed.

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