The Argentine National Team is preparing for its first knockout match in the 2026 World Cup, and Lionel Scaloni did not shy away from the microphone. On the eve of the clash against Cabo Verde, which will be played this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the Albiceleste coach showed confidence and, above all, excitement. “We are fine, excited like everyone else,” the coach said, making it clear that the team arrives in good form for the decisive match.
Scaloni did not want to give hints about the starting lineup, but he did confirm what everyone expected: Lionel Messi will start. “With us, he has played in any way, so he will be there,” the coach assured, who also remained calm despite the fact that the ‘Flea’ scored almost all the goals in the group stage (six out of eight). “We have had goal-scoring opportunities from other players. We would like the goals to be distributed, but the important thing is that the team wins,” he added.
The opponent, Cabo Verde, is no pushover. Scaloni knows this and made it clear: “It is a team that must be respected, that has done things very well. They deserved to win against Saudi Arabia and played a good match, although they suffered against Spain and Uruguay. They close down interior passes well and counterattack, they have players with good footwork.” The margin for error is shrinking, and the coach is aware of it: “This is football, there have been very close matches,” he recalled.
Asked about the title contenders, Scaloni did not hesitate to point to France and Brazil as the strongest, although he also mentioned Colombia and Mexico. “What France has done is noteworthy, they are a great team,” he stated. And regarding the infernal heat expected in Miami, with temperatures close to 40 degrees, the coach was pragmatic: “The weather affects both teams, not just us. The spectacle won’t be the same, but we will play it anyway.”
Finally, Scaloni offered a reflection on the Argentine fans, whom he described as “a plus,” and delved into the debate about Italy’s absence from the World Cup. “I wouldn’t overthink it. Italy has an incredible football culture and it must continue to be respected. Playing something that the people and the players don’t feel can lead to a problem,” he concluded.
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Para mí, Scaloni tiene razón en poner a Messi titular, estos negros de Cabo Verde no nos ganan ni en pedo. Calor? Déjense de joder, son profesionales, no nenas. Vamo’ Argentina carajo, este mundial es nuestro, los zurdos lloran como siempre.
para mi scaloni es un vendido messi es el unico q nos salva los demas son unos muertos de hambre caboverde? unos negros q ni tendrian q estar aki el calor es una boludez los q se qejan son unos trolos vamoooos argentina carajo