On October 1 at 8:00 Beijing time (CEST), Argentina will play a friendly match against Bolivia. Ahead of the match, Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni held a press conference. This is the second part of the press conference.

Related

【Lionel Scaloni: Contract extension? Both sides have good intentions, negotiations have just begun】

【Lionel Scaloni: I hope Julián Álvarez can regain the trust of Atlético Madrid fans, it's good for everyone】

【Lionel Scaloni: Cristian Romero is sometimes too impulsive, he needs to work on that】

First, I'd like to ask if it's been decided that Cristian Romero will be the captain of the national team? Who will be the vice-captain? Second, since the end of the World Cup, there have been rumors that River Plate is interested in bringing you in to replace Eduardo Coudet. Is that true? Has anyone contacted you?

Well, the captain... actually, there's no need to say "well." Following Messi and Otamendi, Cristian Romero is now captain. Damián Martínez is the vice-captain, and Lautaro Martínez is the third captain. This lineup is for the upcoming matches.

As for the other question, honestly, rumors are just rumors. Nobody has spoken to me. As I've always said, and I don't know if I need to repeat it, but I will be here until December 31. I will not listen to any offers; nobody has approached me. Until December 31, if an agreement is not reached, I still will not listen to other offers. If someone contacts me, I will tell them that I'm here until December 31. That's the reality, and that's how I always do things. Because if I were here and said I hadn't received any invitations, that would be a lie, but I always say that I'm here and I feel good. The rumors about River Plate are not true; nobody has contacted me, and I will be here until December 31.

Hello Lionel, I have two questions: first, will an announcement about a contract extension come during this international break, or will we have to wait until the end of the year? Second, we haven't asked about Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez in a while. Now that Messi is absent, is it possible they will play together on the field more?

Hmm... I don't know if it will happen now. Honestly, given the pace of things, I don't think it will happen now, but it depends a lot on whether an agreement is reached. As for the starting lineup, in principle, yes, at least in this match they will play together. It's a very good opportunity to see what they can give us when both are on the field. We'll see in the future. Both are excellent players, and now we have a chance to play them together to see how it works.

Lionel, throughout your time as Argentina's head coach, both on and off the field, Messi has constantly demonstrated his leadership qualities. My question is: do you think it will be difficult to find a similar leader, both on and off the field, in his absence from now on?

Without a doubt, first and foremost, regardless of his status as a player, I've always said that the influence he has on and off the field—I've never seen it in anyone else. So you can imagine how difficult it is—the aura he brings is unique and irreplaceable. However, we have players who can demonstrate leadership. We have a group of excellent people, and most importantly, from our perspective, they are all good people, which is what matters most.

We don't need an authoritarian leader who intimidates new teammates. We need positive, morally upstanding individuals. We believe we have such people in the team, and together they will be able to fill the void left by Leo. As I said, it will be tough, but the team always responds positively, and this time, I believe we have people who can take responsibility.

Lionel, hello. I'd like to know your opinion on the young players called up to the national team this time. Perhaps they missed some previous call-ups, such as Matías Soulé, whom many expected to see in the starting lineup. Has anyone particularly impressed you? Do you feel they bring new energy? Also, this rotation has excluded key players like Lo Celso and De Paul. What do you think about this rotation?

Well, most of them we know very well. Take Matías for example—we've called him up before and we've been monitoring him; Santiago (Castro), we've known him since his time in youth teams and we know him well; Román (Vega) we've been following for a long time. So these young players have demonstrated an extremely strong desire to participate. We will give them playing opportunities, whether in the starting lineup or coming off the bench for a few minutes, but the main thing is that they can make their contribution.

Training this week has been very important and effective. We rarely have so many days for intensive training, and the players even got an extra day off because the intensity of training this week was very high. We're very pleased because we believe they can help. We've already spoken with them and will give them the necessary playing time.

Lionel, you just mentioned that you'll be here until December 31. Although you don't have a specific date now, do you think you're closer or further from making a final decision?

In our first meeting a few days ago, we didn't discuss specific details, but we talked about the desire of both sides, so...

I see. My other question: have you spoken with Leandro Paredes about the penalty shootout and his future since the World Cup?

No, I haven't spoken with him. Doménico just mentioned a previous statement. Leandro Paredes certainly belongs to the national team; how could it be otherwise? Especially given his contribution to our team, his historical place with us, and our special affection for him. But I haven't spoken with him further because, honestly, after the final, I didn't have anything to add to anyone, not just Leandro Paredes.

The door is of course open because he's an excellent player and we're very attached to him. Unfortunately, we can't call him up for these matches. Beyond the length of his suspension, it's really not the best situation, but unfortunately we can't use him right now. When he's available again and maintains that level, he will still be an excellent player, there's no doubt about that.

Переведено ИИ.

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