Messi interview by Simplemente Futbol - 'Scaloni did something extraordinary'

Football media SIMPLEMENTE FÚTBOL traveled to Miami to meet again with Leo Messi in a unique chat. They talked about the World Cup, the dreams he has fulfilled, his present at Inter Miami and everything there is still to tell.

Messi on the transformation of the Argentine national team under Scaloni: "He did something extraordinary."

The Rosario star heaped praise on the Albiceleste coach for all the titles they've won in recent years. "Honestly, it's impressive," he said.

Lionel Messi , captain and greatest symbol of the Argentine National Team , showered Lionel Scaloni with praise for his work in recent years, in a historic cycle with Copa América titles (Brazil 2021 and United States 2024), the Finalissima 2022 and the World Cup in Qatar 2022.

In an extensive interview on Simply Football , the Rosario star acknowledged that

"At first it was difficult" because it meant "building everything from scratch again" after Jorge Sampaoli's chaotic performance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where the Albiceleste lost to France in the round of 16.

"A generation, an era, was coming to an end. Players emerged who weren't as well-known, not as well-known. The coach was very intelligent. Not only in preparing for matches and facing competitions, but also in the way he built the group, the way he managed it. He did something extraordinary in that sense. He created a very strong, very united group," Messi said.

"After the 2019 Copa América, we started to form a very close-knit group. Little by little, we started to find our game. We were knocked out with Brazil, but we were superior. Things happened in the match that could have gone differently, too (Editor's note: referring to the controversial refereeing in the semi-final against Brazil ). We were left with the feeling that something had been taken away from us," he added.

Messi also explained that they gained confidence victory after victory and found "the way they worked" until they were practically unbeatable and won historic titles: "The coaching staff grew as the group grew. We worked together and what they did was amazing. It wasn't easy to grasp at that moment. How he got to the national team was also difficult. It was tough. He supported them and ended up doing everything he did. Honestly, it was impressive."

Messi cautious about his participation in the 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi was asked again if he wants to play in the 2026 World Cup: once again, he was cautious. "If you think about it, it's a long way off, but at the same time, it goes by so fast. This year is going to be important for me: playing consistently, feeling good. Last year I started and had injuries. This year I had a good preseason, I started well, and I feel good," he stated.

In that sense, he explained that it's "a long year" and emphasized that "you don't have the cutoff for June" because of the Club World Cup. "There are a lot of games. I'll see ," said the forward, who will turn 38 in June. He concluded: "I'll see how I feel, especially physically, and be honest with myself about whether I'm ready to be there or not."

Messi described how his children play, which players they talk about and joked about who he sees as the best.

Leo said that Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro are "very different" when it comes to playing football and affirmed that they "love" playing football. He also revealed which players he follows and showered praise on Lamine Yamal.

There are more and more viral videos of Lionel Messi's children playing soccer for Inter Miami or enjoying kicking the ball on the field after one of the Argentine star's matches, although little is known about the characteristics of Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro . And who better to define them than their father.

In an interview with Simplemente Fútbol, Leo stated that the three of them "love" playing football and preferred not to say who he sees as the best so that he doesn't get yelled at when he gets home: "The thing is that they see everything now and if I were to name one of them later they'd say, 'Why did you mention his name? ' I prefer to keep it to myself and not say anything, haha."

"They spend all day with the ball, they enjoy playing," Messi said of his children, adding that "all three of them are very different ," before describing each one.

"Thiago is more thoughtful, more organized, more of a midfielder ," Leo said about the oldest (12 years old) and said that Mateo, the middle one with nine, "is more of a forward, he likes to score goals and be close to the goal, he is intelligent when playing . "

Finally, the Rosario native acknowledged that Messi's youngest, Ciro, who is only seven years old, "is more explosive, more confrontational, more one-on-one. More into making his play."

Which players are Thiago, Mateo and Ciro looking at?

Furthermore, when asked if they watch videos and intend to resemble someone (a curiosity considering who his father is), Leo explained: "They watch everything, they know everyone. They talk to you about Mbappé, Vinicius, Haaland, Lewandoski, Lamine."

"They follow everyone around, not wanting to be like them, but they do know everything. They even know everything about American football. Last time we were lucky enough to be at the Super Bowl, and it was a wonderful experience. They enjoyed it; they knew all the players. Being here and being able to do things is very nice," Leo emphasized.

Messi focused on one of those mentioned, Lamine Yamal, who has been compared to the Argentine not only because he's from Barcelona but also because of the way he plays.

"It's impressive. What he's showing, what he's doing, what he's done is impressive. He was already a European champion. He's still 17, he's in the process of growth, and I think he's going to grow even more as a player; he's going to add things to his game ," Messi said of Lamine.

"Just as I started, he also started on the right. Maybe in a few years he'll end up playing differently too ," Leo compared, and closed with tremendous praise: "There's no doubt he has barbaric skills; today he's already one of the best in the world."

Messi's reflection on the rivalry with Mexico: "There's no comparison with Argentina, and I don't know where that came from."

La Pulga addressed the tense moments with Mexican fans in recent years. "I never disrespected anyone," he said.

Lionel Messi , star of the Argentine national team , broke his silence in an extensive interview in which, among other topics, he referred to the rivalry that has developed with the Mexicans in recent years.

"I don't know what happened to the Mexicans when that rivalry, that anger, started. I always felt very loved by the people of Mexico; I never disrespected anyone ," the Albiceleste captain stated in an interview with Símplemente Fútbol.

"They put themselves in a position of having a rivalry with us that doesn't really exist. There's no comparison between Argentina and Mexico, and I don't know where that came from," added the Rosario star, who is undefeated against the Mexican national team and scored important goals against them in the 2007 Copa América in Venezuela and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

In that sense, he also recalled the amazing goal against El Tri in the second matchday of the group stage of the last World Cup: "The goal I enjoyed most in Qatar was the one against Mexico. Not because of the fans, by any means. It was a huge relief and gave us the peace of mind to get back to what we were and depend on ourselves." And he concluded: "The pitch was tough. Mexico brings fans everywhere... It was the only game where you could feel there were, I don't know if there were more Mexicans... But it was definitely close."

Great goals and scandal with Canelo Álvarez: the story of the rivalry between Messi and Mexico

Lionel Messi played six matches against Mexico, winning five and drawing one. In those matches, Argentina won three matches: the round of 16 of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the semifinal of the 2007 Copa América in Venezuela (with a stunning goal from La Pulga), and the round of 16 of the 2010 South Africa Cup.

The Rosario star scored four goals in total for El Tri. The last of them, a stunning goal in the second matchday victory of Qatar 2022 , the first victory for Lionel Scaloni's team in that World Cup.

Precisely in that match, in the midst of a heated atmosphere, a confusing episode of Lionel Messi wearing an Andrés Guardado shirt in the locker room sparked a media scandal with the multi-world boxing champion Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez , in which Kun Agüero also participated .

"I saw it come out... I think it was a misunderstanding ," Messi said about what happened back then. He added: "Those who know me know that I never disrespect anyone. It's part of the locker room." He then followed up with a blunt response: "I don't have to apologize, nor did I disrespect the Mexico jersey or anyone ," concluding by calming the matter.  "It stayed there, nothing's happening," he concluded. Canelo finally apologized  for the incident, and Guardado himself defended the Rosario star.

The spicy celebration against América, the latest chapter in Messi's rivalry with Mexico

In January 2025, Lionel Messi received a hostile reception from fans of América de México in Las Vegas. In a 2-2 draw, the Rosario native scored a goal and made a spicy gesture  in the celebration: he raised his arms, pointed to his name on his shirt, and made a finger gesture that seemed to reference Argentina's three World Cup titles.