Messi will keep taking penalties, says Argentina coach Scaloni

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni aims for his squad to be remembered as a team that never gives up as they prepare to face Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. The defending champions have advanced smoothly through the group stage but faced tough matches, requiring hard work to overcome Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout rounds.

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I want this national team to be remembered as a team that never gives up.

Argentina enters the match on an 11-game unbeaten streak in the World Cup and has the chance to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the world title. However, Scaloni anticipates a stern challenge from a disciplined and organized Swiss side in their quest for a semifinal spot.

Scaloni highlighted the unwavering support of the fans as a primary source of inspiration for his team's fighting spirit. "I want this national team to be remembered as a team that never gives up," he stated. He added that the coaching staff and players are not just playing to win, and the genuine support from fans is deeply touching, especially when seeing young children passionately chanting Argentina's name.

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We, the coaching staff and players, play football not just to win. When we see the sincere support from the fans, it truly touches our hearts.

The match against Switzerland marks Lionel Messi's return to Arrowhead Stadium, the venue where he scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in the tournament's opening match. Messi is currently tied with France's Kylian Mbappe as the tournament's top scorer with eight goals and is the all-time World Cup leading scorer with 21 goals.

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When you see a 10-year-old child speaking with such passion while chanting Argentina's name, it's very moving. That's the legacy I want to leave.

Despite Messi missing two penalties during the tournament, Scaloni firmly stated that he would not relieve him of penalty-taking duties. "It has never crossed my mind to tell him to stop taking penalties. Let him make his own decisions. We have other players who can take penalties, but if he wants to do it, he will continue to take them. I want him to be free to do whatever he feels is best on the field," Scaloni said. He also believes that the 39-year-old Messi can remain the world's best player as long as he has the desire to compete, citing his daily training performance as evidence of his enduring quality.

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It has never crossed my mind to tell him to stop taking penalties. Let him make his own decisions. We have other players who can take penalties, but if he wants to do it, he will continue to take them. I want him to be free to do whatever he feels is best on the field.