Messi eyes 2026 World Cup, Argentina coach Scaloni says
Scaloni, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, explained the 37-year-old record eight-times Ballon d'Or winner's desire to remain in the squad.
"The first thing to say is that both he and his teammates are aware that there is a reasonable amount of time left and that he and everyone else are keen to play in the World Cup," Scaloni told DSPORTS.
"We will have to wait and see how things develop. He (Messi) knows what we are thinking and he is the most intelligent of us all," the coach added.
Scaloni also spoke about former Argentina forward Angel Di Maria's decision to retire from international football after winning his second Copa America trophy last year.
"From what he said, it is over. And in the best possible way. If he had written his film, his book, his football story, I don't think he would have written it as well as he ended it," Scaloni said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho has return in mind and teases Cristiano Ronaldo reunion after bust-up
Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo had a difficult relationship at times when the duo were at Real Madrid, but a reunion could be on the cards if manager's latest comments are anything to go by Jose Mourinho has said that he is ready to return to management in his native Portugal. The ex- Manchester United boss even hinted that he was eyeing a role with the national team once again, with a potentially awkward reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo on the cards should he make the jump to international coaching. Mourinho, 62, is currently at the helm of Turkish giants Fenerbahce after taking over in June 2024. However, after leading his side to a 2-1 victory over Portuguese second division side Portimonense in a pre-season friendly last week, Mourinho dropped the bombshell that he is ready to make a return to the country where it all began for him. Mourinho has not coached in Portugal since 2004, where he had spells with with Benfica and Porto. "I will come back to Portugal for sure. It hasn't happened yet, but it will happen," Mourinho told Sport TV last week. "Not because I feel close to the end, I feel far from that. I don't want to come to Portugal for a golden retirement or for my final years in my career." He continued: "I want to come to Portugal at the peak of my career, in good health and in top physical and mental shape. I will definitely return. Club or national team? Either, but not Portimonense, because they already have a good manager (laughs)." Rumours of discord between Mourinho, who was sacked by United in 2018, and Ronaldo were rife when the legendary coach managed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner at Real Madrid for three seasons. If Mourinho decides to take over the reins of his country it could have wider implications with Ronaldo still very much a focal point for the team, currently managed by Roberto Martinez. Mourinho and Ronaldo's relationship was fraught in the Spanish capital, with the Portuguese tactician often slamming his star player for what he perceived was a lack of tactical discipline. According to Guillem Balague's book, Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography, Mourinho once engaged Ronaldo in a huge row after the forward took a throw-in too quickly. "After everything I've done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me", Mourinho reportedly bellowed at Ronaldo. "I was saying it for the team because the team needed you to track back." Tensions worsened as Mourinho supposedly added: "Just so you know, many think like me here, but don't dare say it, they don't have the balls to tell you." It is then believed the pair had to be separated. Despite their difficulties, time heals all wounds and it seems that applies to the iconic compatriots. Speaking later on, and perhaps offering an insight into how he would coach a 40-year-old Ronaldo for the national team, Mourinho said: "I think you don't coach [him]. "Motivation, you don't need to give him. Ambition, you don't need to give him. Technique, you don't need to give him. You give some tactical adjustments and let the guy be happy." The two-time Champions League-winning boss was also happy to brand Ronaldo as one of "the best players of all time" and insisted that coaching him was "the highlight" of his career. He also moved to distinguish any bad blood too, saying: "A coach and a player may have their differences at a given time, but it ends there." Since leaving Porto in 2004, Mourinho has managed Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma. Ronaldo, clearly impressed by his old bosses' CV, has claimed that he would be open to working with Mourinho again. Sensationally, Al-Nassr star Ronaldo even lauded Mourinho as the best coach he has ever worked with – even above Sir Alex Ferguson. "I would put him at the top, I always say that," Ronaldo said. A dream reunification in the offing or just two of the game's biggest egos on a collision course once again? Only time will tell as all eyes will firmly be on Mourinho's next move.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Pal who found Paul Gascoigne collapsed in his bedroom speaks out after rushing legend to hospital in his car
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE pal of England legend Paul Gascoigne who discovered him semi-conscious in his bedroom has spoken out. The footballing great, 58, was rushed to hospital by friend Steve Foster after he was found at his home in Poole, Dorset on Friday evening. 4 Gazza's pal Steve Foster has passed on a message for his fans 4 Gazza is considered one of the greatest playmakers of all time Gazza was admitted to an intensive care ward but has now been moved to an acute medical unit where his condition was described as stable. Steve passed on a message for the Spurs legend and said he was in the "best possible place" as he continues his recovery. He remains in a hospital near his home, and is expected to stay there for several days for treatment. Steve Foster said Gazza would 'like to thank everyone for the support he's received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best'. He added: "Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now.' Former Spurs, Lazio and Rangers player Gascoigne is seen as one of the greatest playmakers of his generation, with a stellar club and international career. He was capped 57 times and scored ten goals for the Three Lions between 1988 and 1998. His tears as England crashed out of the 1990 World Cup in the semi-final against Germany touched the nation and he scored an unforgettable wonder goal at Euro 96. His latest health scare comes after his company was shut down at the start of July when it failed to file records on time. Companies House announced the firm has been struck off and dissolved. Gazza was represented for years by booking agent Katie Davies, but she has now stepped back from involvement in his day-to-day life. He was notorious for his crazy antics both on and off the field, sometimes fuelled by booze. Speaking out during 'An Evening With Gascoigne' in Worthing, West Sussex, last year, Gazza explained why he hasn't gone into the jungle for ITV series I'm a Celeb. He said: 'Well unfortunately right, this is truth to God, I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, the producers wanted me to go on. 'But you had to see a psychiatrist. If you pass the psychiatrist's test, you're in. I failed five f***ing times! 'And to be honest, the first time I went to see her I was on cocaine, so she must have f***ing knew. 'Second time I told her to f*** off. Third time never wanted to f***ing see her again so didn't really go down too well. 'When I say I'd like to go in there…once it starts…f*** me I'm sh*t scared. I hate f***ing snakes cos I met f***ing plenty in my career! 'I suffer from claustrophobia badly. So I'm sometimes glad I give it a miss.' The football icon was forced to quit the Italian version of the reality TV show after an eventful 38 days on a Caribbean island for the show. The Rangers legend made a mark on show 'Isola de Famosi' by stripping completely naked while sunbathing in 30C heat on the Caribbean island. The star was injured as he took part in a trial to win a plate of spaghetti with meatballs and airlifted to hospital by helicopter. 4 He was renowned for his crazy antics both on and off the pitch Credit: Getty
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Paul Gascoigne rushed to hospital after collapsing at home
Gascoigne, 58, was said to have been discovered by a friend at his Dorset home on Friday evening (July 18). He is reportedly recovering now and is expected to be in hospital for treatment for a few days. Steve Foster, a friend of Gascoigne's and his driver, who found him, told The Sun newspaper: 'He would like to thank everyone for the support he's received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best.' Happy birthday to former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne! 🎉 He added: 'Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now.' Gascoigne is considered to be one of England's greatest midfielders, having played for the likes of Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio in his club career. He was capped 57 times and scored ten goals for the Three Lions between 1988 and 1998. Gascoigne came through the ranks at Newcastle in the 1980s before moving to Tottenham, where he would win an FA Cup winners' medal in 1991. He spent four years in Italy with Lazio before joining Rangers, but alcohol issues took hold during his latter career at Middlesbrough, Everton and Burnley. Happy Birthday Paul Gascoigne 🎂 One of the greatest talents England have ever produced #Gazza #Euro96 🔥 The Telegraph adds: "He was left out of England's 1998 World Cup squad, which proved a crushing blow for both his professional and personal life." Gascoigne spoke to Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes, who present the High Performance Podcast, about his personal struggles last year. He shared: 'The things I've put myself through, I'm lucky to still be sitting here. 'I've spent a lot of years being down, when I did my ligaments and then my knee-cap, I missed four years of football. I would've got 100 caps.' Recommended reading: 'Warm and witty' football icon set to join BBC's Match of the Day as new pundit 'Be yourself': Gary Lineker discusses his BBC Match of the Day replacement England's Jess Carter 'steps back' from social media due to racist abuse in Euros Of the battle to stay sober, Gascoigne said: 'I don't blame anyone, I used to blame a lot of people when I was drinking. 'It's f****** because he did that. Because such-and-such did this'. "I did the 12 steps and one of the steps was to meet the person you blamed and apologise to them. 'What I put myself through and other people, jail and rehab – taking cocaine off toilet seats – and then I'm asked to be ambassador for my country, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.'
