Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says Lionel Messi’s presence in the tournament is widely anticipated as the defending champions begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on Tuesday. Scaloni characterizes Messi as a player whose influence extends beyond the field, noting that people around the world are “waiting” to see him play. He also says Argentina has a strong squad and points to the team’s coaching setup, adding that Argentina’s upcoming matches will be shaped by both its players and leadership.
The reports describe Scaloni’s remarks as highlighting Messi’s status and the attention surrounding his potential sixth World Cup appearance. While the comments focus on anticipation and global interest, they do not provide additional details about team selection, specific roles, or match-day lineups. Overall, both sources present the same message from Scaloni: Messi’s participation is a central storyline for Argentina’s tournament start against Algeria.
