Angel Di Maria has firmly backed Lionel Messi to extend his international career well beyond the 2026 World Cup, dismissing suggestions that the Inter Miami star should retire from the Argentina national team. The former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain winger believes the 39-year-old possesses the quality and desire to continue competing at the sport's highest level for years to come.
Speaking after Rosario Central's recent defeat, Di Maria praised Messi's enduring excellence and rejected the notion of any decline. "Leo has to keep going as long as he wants," Di Maria stated. "I think he can continue for many more years. At 39, he's shown that he's one of the best and that he can continue to be one of the best in history. He has no ceiling, there's nothing more for him." This comes as reports suggest Messi views the 2026 tournament as a potential farewell to international football, a sentiment Di Maria appears determined to challenge.
Scaloni's Leadership Crucial for Argentina's Future
Beyond Messi's longevity, Di Maria also emphasised the importance of retaining head coach Lionel Scaloni, who has orchestrated Argentina's remarkable resurgence. Under Scaloni's guidance, the nation has won four major tournaments—the 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles, and the Finalissima. Di Maria stressed that consistency in leadership is vital as the next generation of Argentine talent emerges. "Scaloni is the leader of the national team, I hope he stays for everyone's sake," he said. "He's developing a good generation of young players who are coming through now, and every little bit helps."
Di Maria reflected on Argentina's recent journey with characteristic passion, acknowledging both the triumph and disappointment of recent campaigns. The winger, who has accumulated 124 international caps, spoke of the emotional toll of each match but praised his teammates' resilience. "They deserve more than just applause for everything they've achieved," he added. With Argentina's legacy now cemented among the sport's elite nations, the focus shifts to whether Messi will grace the 2026 stage and how long Scaloni's golden era will extend.
