Scaloni confirmed Messi will play against Colombia and commented on Mastantuono’s transfer to Real Madrid | Key insights from the national team’s coach.

Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Monday that Lionel Messi will start in the match on Wednesday against Colombia in the South American Qualifiers. Additionally, the manager of the Argentine national team addressed, in a press conference, the sale of Franco Mastantuono to Real Madrid, the possible return of Leandro Paredes to Boca, the current status of Lautaro Martínez, the call-up from Inter to Samuel, and the list of players selected for the 2026 World Cup.

“Leo (Messi) is going to start, we have no doubts, and we hope the fans enjoy him and the team”, Scaloni responded to the logical first question about whether Messi would be a starter. The Little Flea came off the bench against Chile. On that occasion, the manager assured that it was not due to a physical or muscular problem, but to manage efforts.

As has been happening lately, and unlike previous years, Scaloni did not confirm the starting lineup. “I don’t give the formation because I’ve had setbacks lately”, he argued. However, he did confirm that “due to the absence of Nico (Tagliafico, who reached the limit of yellow cards), it will be Medina or Barco; it will not change from those two”.

He also addressed reports from some Italian media stating that Chivu, the new coach of Inter, called Walter Samuel to be his assistant. “Walter received a call from Chivu to see if he would join him at Inter; he appreciated the call from the club of his life, but he has a commitment to us, and that says a lot about him staying. It’s a sign of professionalism”, Scaloni clarified.

Scaloni on Colombia: “It is one of the best teams in the world”

After a great start to the Qualifiers, Colombia is currently going through a somewhat irregular phase. In fact, they have only won one of their last 6 matches. Despite this, their good start allows them to remain sixth, and therefore in a direct qualification spot, though Venezuela is only three points behind.

“It’s strange to say that Colombia is in a slump; they have deserved to win matches in which they weren’t lucky; the standings are misleading. Statistics at the end sometimes don’t tell the truth. They are a good team, among the best. They are on par with the greatest national teams in the world, and they are going to make things complicated for us,” warned the Argentine coach.

In the previous Qualifiers match, the Cafeteros defeated the Albiceleste 2 to 1 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla. Earlier, Argentina had beaten Colombia 1 to 0 in the tough final of the 2024 Copa América.

“We always study the opponent, but in this case, we are more focused on what we want, in terms of how we want to approach the match, while being cautious of the great players that Colombia has,” the coach responded to a question from Adrián De Benedictis, a journalist from Adolfo Kunjuk News.

“I’m not thinking about whether we are the best national team in the world; I’m not interested”

Having won the Copa América twice, a World Cup, and the Finalissima, all deservedly, it’s hard to claim that any team other than Argentina is the best in the world. Especially considering the consistency they have maintained since 2021. Perhaps Spain, the 2024 Euro Cup champion, is trying to threaten that dominance.

“I don’t think about that (if we are the best team); it doesn’t make much sense. We are competitive and can play on equal terms with anyone. It’s a topic I’m not very interested in, and it’s a debate that doesn’t have much sense”, the coach stated emphatically.

“This is a team that can play the same way whether Leo is present or not, which perhaps was much more complicated before because we had to change more players. Today the team functions the same way”, Scaloni responded to a question about the comparison with earlier times when the team relied much more on the star than it does now.

Mastantuono to Real Madrid

After the Club World Cup, Franco Mastantuono will leave River for Real Madrid for a fee of 60 million euros gross, of which 45 million, the amount of the clause, will remain with the Millonario. The young player had already agreed on his salary during the week, will sign his contract until June 2031, and will join La Casa Blanca in August.

“If it happens, it’s a lot. Going to Real Madrid is gigantic. It’s the best club in the world or one of the best. It’s a huge step for him, who is only 17 years old. What we’ve discussed with him is that if he continues with that eagerness to learn and that mindset, he will do well,” Scaloni said enthusiastically. “I would be happy if it happens because big clubs are looking at Argentine football, and we hope that continues. It’s true that not having them playing in the local league isn’t great, but it’s also good to see them playing in the best leagues in the world,” added the native of Pujato.

The possible return of Paredes to Boca

For several transfer windows, the possible return of Leandro Paredes to Boca has become a saga. If the midfielder does indeed return to wear the xeneize jersey, the national team coach has made it clear that it will not be a consideration for future call-ups whether he plays in European football, but rather his performance.

“We will assess his performance if he returns, and that’s it. We won’t interfere with where he plays; what’s important is that he plays. If he returns, it’s spectacular for Argentine football, another World Champion,” he answered, in line with similar questions posed to him regarding other players in the same situation.

Thiago Almada and Messi: “Those who play well can certainly play together”

When asked if he believed Almada and Messi could play together, Scaloni was very clear: “How could they not be able to play? Those who play well can definitely play together; they play better. What is necessary is to have a balance; you can’t have 10 number 10s.” On another note, he highlighted that they have already shared minutes on the field.

“Thiago can play inside, outside, on the left; in his team (Lyon), he has played as a right midfielder. He is a complete player and moves well in tight spaces. He keeps the others alert because he has come to stay in the starting team,” warned the coach, who previously managed the former Vélez player in the Under-20 national team.

List of players selected for the World Cup

“Based on the experience from the last World Cup, it doesn’t make sense to think about the list a year before the World Cup; it has to be at the final moment, beyond having an idea. There can be surprises, less performance, injuries. We experienced that in the last World Cup, and fortunately, we managed to counter it. The best thing is to wait and decide at the end,” Scaloni anticipated. In the lead-up to Qatar 2022, unexpected issues arose, such as last-minute injuries to Lo Celso, Nicolás González, and Joaquín Correa.

Lautaro and the “third striker”

“We are not looking for another center forward; the slots are what they are. We are considering other players,” said Scaloni, who added that in that case, Ángel Correa, one of the call-ups, could fulfill that role. As for Lautaro Martínez, who was given more days off as previously agreed before the Champions League final, he stated that “he is well and available for tomorrow,” though he did not confirm whether he will start or if Julián Álvarez will play in his place.

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