According to TyC Sports, the Argentine national team is preparing for three friendly matches in late September and early October. Head coach Lionel Scaloni spoke to journalists at the Argentine Football Association's training base in Ezeiza about his contract extension, squad changes, and Lionel Messi's farewell match for the national team.

On contract extension

Lionel Scaloni said: "There's no new information yet. I will meet with the president in the next few days."

When asked why the meeting hasn't happened yet

Lionel Scaloni explained: "We were supposed to meet yesterday, but I had to go to the dentist, so it didn't happen, ha-ha. Today he's in Paraguay. We'll talk—everyone wants to sit down and discuss things. When there's news, we'll announce it. For now, everything remains as it is."

On squad selection

Lionel Scaloni stated: "The message this squad sends is what any coach would do. The World Cup is over, and we believe now is a good time for some roster changes, because most of the players will still be with the team and they're very young. We made this decision carefully, just as we did in 2018. Back then we did the same thing, not even knowing if we'd continue coaching."

On young players like Nico Paz and Valentín Barco who could potentially get more opportunities in the future

Lionel Scaloni said: "We work for the national team, not for any individual. That's what we need to do, and it can produce results. Everything takes time, but our idea is for these young players to stay."

Reflecting on the World Cup final loss to Spain

Lionel Scaloni noted: "Not winning that match was a huge blow for us, we have to acknowledge that, because we were just one step away from another World Cup trophy. The blow was truly significant. I've always said and will continue to say that the position I hold now is a dream come true, and that won't change. Next, we need to sit down and talk with the president, but that hasn't happened yet. The rumors circulating outside don't match reality. When the time comes to announce something, we will. For now, everything is as it was before. We're preparing for these matches and hope the young players get the chance to play."

On his desire to stay

Lionel Scaloni said: "I want to stay here, but there are many aspects to discuss with the president. After such an emotional tournament, it's natural to review certain things. I repeat: we'll sit down and talk with the president."

On Messi's farewell to Argentine fans at the Monumental Stadium

Lionel Scaloni stated: "I think a player like him deserves such a farewell. Personally, I also contributed a bit to making it happen. I hope to be present at his farewell match, but I don't know if I'll still be here then, so we did our best to get him to play in this match. We know what he's been through, and despite that, he's still willing to make the effort to come back and say goodbye to his fans, to those who love him so much. If we're going to give him his due, it has to be done now. Although he'll never stop, his magic might be different in time. Now is the moment to let him feel that love."

When asked how he convinced Messi to play

Lionel Scaloni replied: "I spoke with him and did everything I could to convince him that now is the right time, because nobody knows what will happen in the future. He understood. The Argentine Football Association and the president also helped. It's a beautiful thing, and he deserves all of it. Whatever we can do now, the sooner the better."

On conspiracy theories surrounding the World Cup final

Lionel Scaloni commented: "The things on social media are really nonsensical."

Explaining why Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were absent from the first two friendly matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso

He said: "The door to the national team is not closed for them by any means. However, we believe these two matches will allow the young players to step up and show what they can do. They've done a lot for us. For now they're temporarily not with the team, and we'll see what happens in the future. But at this moment, we want to see how the other young players perform."

Переведено ИИ.

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