As Argentina Prepares for World Cup, Scaloni Hopes To Delay Messi's Retirement

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has expressed his strong desire to keep 38-year-old Lionel Messi playing international football as long as possible ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Messi, who holds 198 international caps and 116 goals, led Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory in Qatar and two Copa América titles. Argentina has submitted a preliminary 55-man squad for the tournament, but Scaloni remains reluctant to contemplate a future without his captain, drawing emotional comparisons to the loss of Diego Maradona.