No penalties for Messi? The Argentina coach opens up ahead of the Swiss quarter-final test

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has strongly banned any suggestions that Lionel Messi will be exempted from the 2026 World Cup, insisting the iconic captain will retain full autonomy on the pitch.

Ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes quarter-final against Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium, Scaloni laughed off concerns about Messi’s recent struggles from twelve yards. The 39-year-old forward endured an unprecedented harsh situation from the spot, keeping two penalties clean during this tournament. The first flew wide in the group stage clash against Austria and the second was saved by Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir during a chaotic round of 16 match in Atlanta. The latter miss handed Messi an unwanted piece of history as the first player to miss four penalties without a shootout in World Cup history.

Despite those mistakes, Messi single-handedly pulled the defending champions through adversity, scoring eight goals and assisting to top the race for the Golden Boot alongside France’s Kylian Mbappo. When pressed on whether tactical intervention was necessary to pass responsibility for the penalty to someone else, Scaloni offered a no-compromise answer.

“I wouldn’t even think of going to tell him not to do it,” Scaloni said at a news conference Friday.

“Let him do what he wants. We’ve got players who can take them, but he’ll take it when he wants to, and if he doesn’t, that’s up to him. Let him do what he wants on the field.”

“MESSI’S FORM IS NOT A SURPRISE”

Messi’s ability to remain the tournament’s main protagonist at the age of 39 has captivated a global audience, but it’s business as usual for the man in charge.

“I’m not surprised,” Scaloni said.

“Maybe people who don’t know him expected he wouldn’t be at this level at 39, but I don’t know how many times I’ve said it: as long as he wants to, he’ll be the best. I think so, and not because I’m his coach.”

Argentina’s knockout journey was far from straightforward, requiring extra time against Cape Verde before rescuing a 2-0 deficit against Egypt to secure a thrilling 3-2 win. Scaloni addressed the secret behind Messi’s extraordinary athletic longevity and how he continues to maintain such physical performance, crediting careful sports science rather than a drastic change in playing style.

“Leo runs more or less the same every game,” Scaloni told reporters. “Physically, it’s true that he’s done the prep work with his fitness coach and it’s paid off, but in terms of the numbers, I don’t know if he’s changed that much.”

“It’s clear that he gives everything he has. When he gives everything he has and feels he can create danger, he is a machine,” the coach added.

As Argentina prepares for a defensive, elaborate Swiss test, the team appears united behind its talisman. Scaloni’s message remains clear: any decision on the next punishment starts and ends with Lionel Messi.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

11 Jul 2026 15:12 IST