Beyond his obvious talent with the ball at his feet, Scaloni emphasized that Messi’s presence is vital for the overall morale and psychological state of the squad. Whether he is starting on the pitch or leading from the dressing room, the 36-year-old remains the undisputed heartbeat of the Argentinian national team.
Asked about his importance to this team, Scaloni replied: “Hugely important, as always. Not just in the dressing room, when he’s on the pitch, everything he translates to his team-mates, the atmosphere he creates around him, is something incredible.” This aura is expected to be a driving force as Argentina look to navigate a challenging group stage.