How Argentina Created the Perfect Environment for Messi
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has built a squad that maximizes Lionel Messi's talent by fostering friendship, freedom, and support, allowing the footballer to rediscover happiness on the pitch.
Argentina's football team has created an ideal environment for Lionel Messi to shine. After coming back from 2-0 down against Egypt to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, Messi could not hold back tears. It was relief not just from escaping defeat, but from not letting his teammates down after missing a penalty.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni emphasizes that his priority is the team's mental well-being and shared moments, not tactics. "I coach for this, not because I like a 4-3-3. I like drinking mate with my friends and players, sharing a barbecue, playing truco," he said. This approach has brought back Messi's joy for football.
Rodrigo de Paul has become Messi's closest friend in the squad. The friendship began when de Paul invited Messi for mate and truco. Every morning they share mate in de Paul's room, with strict order: Messi first, then others. De Paul calls Messi 'El Pequeno' (the little one), treating him like a normal person. On the pitch, the team forms a wedge like a street gang protecting its leader.
Scaloni has built a system that allows Messi to freely choose his position. For example, against Switzerland, he moved to the center after 38 minutes. The team adapts, and teammates like de Paul exploit the space Messi creates.
The team's successes speak for themselves: they have won three of their last three semi-finals and claimed four trophies in this cycle - two Copa Americas, a World Cup, and a Finalissima. After each win, the squad sings a hymn dedicated to Messi, referencing Maradona and the Falklands.
Leandro Paredes sums it up: "When we see Messi crying, we embrace him to remind him we are there for him and will leave everything on the pitch so his last game never comes."
