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Lionel Scaloni structures Argentina to support Messi's World Cup success

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 23, 2026, 9:42 AM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

Lionel Scaloni structures Argentina to support Messi's World Cup success

Summary

Lionel Messi continues to excel at the World Cup at age 38, leveraging Lionel Scaloni's strategic team design. Scaloni has built a setup that accommodates Messi's waning physical attributes while maximizing his technical prowess. Messi's offensive contributions have been vital, as he showcased his ability with impactful performances in Argentina's opening tournament matches. Argentina's approach contrasts previous managers' attempts to integrate Messi effectively, highlighting Scaloni's unique strategies during the current tournament in Qatar.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Messi became the World Cup's all-time top scorer with 17 goals.
•Scaloni has focused on building a system around Messi since 2018.
•Messi played a key role in Argentina's 3-0 win against Algeria.
•Argentina's tactical shift seeks to balance Messi's presence with overall team effectiveness.
•The team's structure remains under scrutiny compared to previous coaching regimes.

Latest Updates

9:42 AMYahoo Sports — How Lionel Scaloni Is Getting The Best Out Of Messi And Argentina

What they're saying

"
Lionel Messi is rewriting World Cup history at 38, but Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni’s team structure is helping him reach new heights.
— Yahoo Sports

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