Lionel Messi continues to dominate the conversation around Argentina as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup intensifies, with Lionel Scaloni now facing growing questions about the future of his iconic captain. Lionel Messi continues to dominate the conversation around Argentina as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup intensifies, with Lionel Scaloni now facing growing questions about the future of his iconic captain. On the other hand, Diego Maradona’s legacy has also resurfaced in recent days as emotions around another possible farewell to a generational figure begin to build across Argentine soccer. The uncertainty surrounding Messi’s long-term future continues to follow Argentina everywhere despite the team’s recent success. Even at 38, the Inter Miami star remains the emotional leader of the national team and the player many supporters still look toward during the biggest moments. Scaloni now finds himself balancing preparations for another World Cup campaign while trying to avoid conversations about life after Messi. The Argentina coach has repeatedly emphasized the importance of enjoying the present rather than focusing too heavily on what may eventually happen after the tournament in North America. That emotional atmosphere has also reopened memories of Maradona’s departure from soccer decades ago. For many inside La Albiceleste, the comparison between the two icons carries enormous emotional weight because both transformed the history of the national team forever. Lionel Messi of Argentina during a training session. Scaloni opens up on Messi fears As Argentina continues preparing for the 2026 World Cup, Scaloni finally addressed the growing speculation surrounding Messi’s future during an emotional conversation with CONMEBOL. The World Cup-winning manager admitted that imagining Argentina without Messi reminds him of the sadness people felt when Maradona stopped playing. “Being able to see him play is something wonderful. Beyond whether it is his last World Cup or not. I don’t like longing or thinking about what is going to happen; I want to enjoy the moment. Everyone wants to see him play,” Scaloni explained, via Goal. The Argentina coach made it clear that he does not want to focus on retirement discussions while Messi is still competing at the highest level. Instead, Scaloni believes the current generation should simply appreciate every remaining appearance from the captain. “I like to think that he is going to keep playing, because it makes you sad, as happened with Diego, not seeing him on the field anymore,” he added. Diego Maradona lifting the 1986 World Cup. The comparison with Maradona immediately resonated across Argentina. Maradona remains one of the most beloved figures in the history of the country’s soccer culture after leading the national team to World Cup glory in 1986. Scaloni imagines Messi and Maradona together For years, critics questioned whether Messi could replicate Maradona’s international legacy. Those debates largely disappeared after Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar, finally ending decades of frustration for the national team. Now, the focus has shifted toward whether the Inter Miami captain will continue beyond 2026 or bring his extraordinary international career to a close after the tournament. Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi of Argentina. Scaloni, however, seems determined to avoid setting any emotional countdown around the captain. “They are players who marked the history of soccer. Thinking that he is not going to play anymore does not leave you at peace. I prefer to think about the present,” the coach admitted. One of the most fascinating moments from Scaloni’s interview arrived when he was asked whether Messi and Maradona could have played together in the same Argentina side. The manager responded without hesitation. “Of course they would have played together in my national team,” Scaloni said.
With the Santos star included in the preliminary squad, speculation continues to grow over whether the veteran forward will make the final 26-man roster for the tournament. Carlo Ancelotti’s first major 2026 World Cup decision as Brazil manager is already dominating headlines, and Neymar remains at the center of the storm. With the Santos star included in the preliminary squad, speculation continues to grow over whether the veteran forward will make the final 26-man roster for the tournament. The uncertainty has created intense debate across Brazil, especially because Neymar remains one of the most influential figures in the national team setup. While supporters continue to dream of one final World Cup run, Ancelotti has now made it clear that only one factor will determine the player’s fate. The countdown toward the Selecao’s final squad announcement has placed enormous pressure on Neymar. The forward has entered what many inside Brazilian soccer consider the most important stretch of his comeback since returning to Santos. The timing is significant because Ancelotti is scheduled to reveal his final squad in Rio de Janeiro shortly after the Peixe completes two crucial domestic fixtures. Those matches could heavily influence the manager’s final thinking before Brazil begins preparations for the 2026 World Cup. In the meantime, Neymar has already shown flashes of his old brilliance during recent weeks. Neymar Jr with another goal for Santos tonight. 🇧🇷A goal or assist delivered every 98 mins in last 17 games. 🔥🏟️ 17 games⚽️ 11 goals🅰️ 4 assists🎥 nodetalhecontent_ on Instagram pic.twitter.com/iTCOVj4WxI— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 10, 2026 Since returning from injury setbacks, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has contributed six goals and three assists in 13 matches during 2026. That return has reignited hope among supporters who still view him as the player capable of inspiring Brazil toward a sixth World Cup crown. However, questions surrounding his readiness have never fully disappeared. The one condition Neymar must satisfy Ancelotti addressed the issue on Tuesday directly while speaking to Reuters, admitting that Neymar’s situation represents one of the toughest decisions facing the coaching staff. However, the former Real Madrid coach insisted that emotions alone will not influence his decision in another interview. On Thursday, the Brazil manager admitted that the forward’s physical condition is the single decisive factor in whether he reaches the final World Cup squad. “The call-up of Neymar depends only on him. It depends on what the player demonstrates on the field,” he stated in comments reported by The Guardian. The veteran coach then delivered the clearest explanation yet about how Neymar is being assessed internally. “This is a very clear criterion, and it does not apply only to Neymar. With most players, you have to evaluate talent and physical condition. With Neymar, we only need to evaluate physical condition, because his talent is indisputable. It depends on him, not on me”, Ancelotti said. Those comments immediately intensified attention around Neymar’s performances for Santos. Every appearance now carries enormous weight as Brazil’s coaching staff studies whether the 34-year-old can physically cope with the demands of another major tournament. Brazil balancing romance and reality amid Neymar’s fitness woes The debate surrounding the 34-year-old’s fitness reflects a larger dilemma inside the Brazil camp. On one side stands the emotional appeal of giving the nation’s all-time leading scorer another chance on soccer’s biggest stage. Moreover, on the other side lies the reality of recent injury struggles. Neymar isn’t the same he used to be after many injuries Neymar has endured multiple physical setbacks over the last two years, including serious knee ligament damage suffered during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in 2023. According to Transfermarkt, the Santos captain suffer
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