Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has urged the next generation of his squad to follow Lionel Messi’s example after watching the captain inspire a remarkable comeback victory over Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi endured one of the most frustrating nights of his tournament after seeing an early penalty saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, leaving Argentina trailing before the Pharaohs extended their advantage to 2-0 in the second half.
Rather than retreat into frustration, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner responded with characteristic determination. He provided the cross for Cristian Romero’s header, thundered home the equalizer before Enzo Fernandez completed an extraordinary 3-2 turnaround deep into stoppage time.
For Scaloni, the comeback was about far more than tactics or individual brilliance. It was a lesson in leadership, resilience and mentality.
“I spoke to the players for one minute,” Scaloni told reporters after the match.
“I told them that I didn’t speak for this World Cup anymore, but for what has to come in the future, especially to the guys who are on the bench, to those who watch him and cannot believe what they are seeing.
“They have to take him as their example.”
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The Argentina coach admitted Messi’s reaction after missing the penalty left a lasting impression on everyone in the squad.
“He could have said, ‘I missed the penalty, that’s it, I’m done.’ Instead, he asked for the ball again, kept trying and kept believing,” Scaloni said.
“It gives me goosebumps because not only him, but all his teammates supported him in an incredible way. That is what this group is.”
Scaloni believes the emotional value of such performances extends well beyond one World Cup match.
“Those young players who watched this game and who dream of wearing the Argentina shirt must learn from moments like this,” he added.
The 48-year-old described Messi as a player motivated purely by his love of football rather than individual accolades.
“I’m convinced he plays football for this,” Scaloni said.
“He loves the ball. To give him this kind of emotion at this stage of his career is something difficult to explain.
“When you stop playing football, you regret not enjoying moments like these. That’s why we always tell him to enjoy every minute.”
Messi eventually finished the match with a goal and an assist, extending his scoring streak at the tournament and once again proving decisive when Argentina needed him most.
The victory sent the defending champions into the World Cup quarterfinals, where they will continue their bid to retain the trophy, but Scaloni suggested the night’s greatest legacy may be the example his captain has set for the future.
“If you have all the tactics in the world but you don’t have what we had today, then you don’t win,” he said.
“That is what Lionel Messi represents.”
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