Scaloni even silenced Maradona. Why did Messi fail to make an impact in the final?

Why did Argentina fail to make an impact in the final?

“I expected the game to unfold this way. Not to the extent that Argentina wouldn't register a single shot on target in 120 minutes, of course. But I anticipated them ceding the initiative to Spain, as they had done in several previous matches in the tournament.

The problem arises when you adopt such a tactic and fail to create any offensive opportunities. It then becomes incredibly difficult to sustain that for an entire match, especially when playing a man down for the entirety of extra time. After winning possession, they couldn't generate any meaningful situations, and that's where I see the biggest issue.”

Even Lionel Messi couldn't help Argentina. Was he simply off his game, or did Spain perfectly neutralize him?

“We have to be honest about how many times he received the ball in dangerous areas. It was truly minimal. When he did get it, he was far from the goal. He also lacked support from his teammates, who expended an extreme amount of energy running without the ball. Messi didn't shine, but I wouldn't say it was his fault.”

Is the trophy in the right hands?

“Absolutely. When a team concedes only one goal throughout the entire World Cup and defeats Portugal, France, and Argentina, there's no question about it.”

What's the current mood in Argentina after the final disappointment?

“I haven't been following it closely, but there's certainly sadness. When you reach a final, you always believe you can win. However, I think Argentinians are very grateful for this coaching staff and the players, some of whom have been with the national team for eight years.

During that time, Argentina won the Copa América twice, the Finalissima, the World Cup, and were in the final again yesterday. There's definitely disappointment and sadness now, but overall, gratitude prevails for the entire period since coach Scaloni's arrival.”

How do you generally assess Argentina's performances in the tournament?

“I enjoyed the comebacks in matches, where they showed character and a never-say-die attitude. But their style of play was different from the previous World Cup. In Qatar, Argentina was more dominant. They not only defeated opponents but also footballistically dismantled the Dutch for 70 minutes and the French for 75 minutes. That style of play has changed.”

Why do you think that is?

“The coach knows best why he chose this approach or tactic. It could be that the players are older. It's also worth noting that Ángel Di María has retired. He was very important to that team, and such a player is difficult to replace. However, Argentina lacked the footballing flair and combination play that characterized them for about six of those eight years.”

Was a title defense expected in Argentina before the tournament?

“They certainly expected it; in Argentina, they play for nothing else (laughs).”

And what did they expect from Messi? After Kylian Mbappé, he was the second most productive player of the tournament. Did they believe that at 39, he could still play at such a high level?

“There were high expectations about how it would look. Whether he would truly be at the level required for a World Cup. And he was at that level. You have to take your hat off to what he achieved at that age. Four years ago, we were already saying it was incredible at his age. And now we're saying it again. Anyone who still doubts Messi probably has a real problem (laughs).”

While Messi was a leader and drove Argentina forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, according to many, hindered Portugal more than he helped with his presence. What's the difference?

“I don't follow the Portuguese in detail, but again, we're getting into a debate that I think has been clear for years. In recent years, Ronaldo has primarily been a finisher; he needs service from his teammates. If he doesn't get it, it's difficult for him to make an impact.

Messi is a different type, and that's what makes him exceptional and perhaps even better, because the team is more dependent on him. Of course, he also needs his teammates to run for him. But when the team needs him to create something, he can still do it at this age.”

Have the past few years, and especially the last two tournaments, definitively answered the question of whether Messi or Ronaldo was better?

“I've been clear on that for a while now. What some of us saw earlier, others needed another eight years to realize (laughs).”

Before the 2022 World Cup final, you told me that Diego Maradona was still bigger than Messi in Argentina. Since then, Messi has led the national team to a World Cup title, a World Cup final, and a Copa América triumph. Is he definitively greater than Maradona now?

“I think they are on the same level now, although it's hard to say. We've discussed it with friends, and everyone has more or less agreed that with what Messi has achieved with Argentina in the last eight years, he has at least reached Diego's level.”

What about the older generation? Your father is Maradona's age. Does he still insist that Diego was two levels better than Messi?

“I haven't asked him that question in a while. But you've inspired me. I'll call him today and ask him (laughs).”

Maradona's numbers, trophies, or achievements don't compare to Messi's, and anyone who isn't Argentinian probably won't understand how he can be more revered. Can you explain it?

“As you say, it's hard to explain to someone who wasn't born in that country or didn't live there for several years. I didn't really see Maradona play, only in some videos, but I still perceive that strong bond between him and Argentina.

Of course, it's also connected to his story, that he came from very poor circumstances. Also with the Falklands War against England and the goals he then scored against them. When the country needed it most, Diego injected new energy, at least through sport, and that influenced Argentinians so much that they still feel it today. I haven't experienced it myself, and yet I have respect for it.”

Does Argentina already have Messi's successor?

“A player with such potential as Lamine Yamal, not currently. I don't know if there will be anyone like Messi in the foreseeable future. But that was also said when Maradona retired, and then Messi appeared. There are many talents in Argentina; let's wait and see.”

Lionel Scaloni will likely leave with Messi. Will he depart as the most successful coach in Argentine history?

“I read today, 104 matches, 80 wins, 14 draws, and 10 losses. He won the Copa América twice, the Finalissima, the World Cup, and was in the final again yesterday. I think we can say he is the most successful in history.”

However, when he arrived in 2018, Maradona declared that he couldn't even direct traffic at a crossroads. How difficult was it for him at the beginning, especially after that statement?

“Very, because it wasn't just Maradona who thought that, but about 98% of Argentinians. He had never been a head coach before, and many journalists also said he didn't deserve it, that it should be an experienced coach. However, Scaloni shut up not only Maradona but also those 98% of people in Argentina and perhaps even worldwide.”

Argentina has been in three of the last four World Cup finals. Are you concerned about a new era without Lionel Messi?

“Who wouldn't be concerned? When a player of that caliber leaves, concerns are, of course, justified.”

How do you rate the new World Cup format with 48 participants? Did it help or harm the tournament?

“I can't find any positive aspect to having more teams and matches. When players have an even greater workload and less rest at the end of the season, it doesn't really benefit anything. Perhaps only FIFA's coffers.”

How do you think Slovakia would fare in this competition?

“Slovakia would certainly be competitive. There were countries that didn't produce extremely attractive football. Slovakia was very close to qualifying for the World Cup, and there they would definitely have a chance to fight for progression from the group stage. They are certainly at a higher level than Cape Verde and other countries that reached the round of sixteen.”