Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni expressed confidence in Lionel Messi's performance at the World Cup, stating he is not surprised by the forward's physical condition at 39 years old. Scaloni believes that Messi will continue to be the best player in the world for as long as he chooses to play.

Messi's Impact on Argentina's World Cup Journey

Messi has played a crucial role in Argentina's World Cup campaign, netting eight goals in five matches, placing him just behind France's Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot. His contributions included a pivotal performance in the round of 16, where he helped secure a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt, scoring one goal and assisting Cristian Romero after the team was down 2-0 with only 11 minutes left.

Scaloni's Confidence in Messi

Despite concerns about Messi's fitness following a recent muscle strain, Scaloni noted that the forward's preparation with his fitness coach has been effective. "Leo runs more or less the same in every match," Scaloni remarked, emphasizing that Messi gives everything he has on the pitch. He described Messi as a "machine" when he senses the opportunity to create danger.

Although Messi has missed two penalties during the tournament, Scaloni affirmed that he would not consider removing penalty duties from the captain. "Let him do whatever he wants," Scaloni stated, indicating his trust in Messi's decision-making on the field.