Scaloni revives Messi, leads Argentina to 2022 World Cup triumph

After Lionel Messi stepped away from the Argentina national team following the 2018 World Cup disappointment, new coach Lionel Scaloni persisted in contacting the star. Messi initially replied "Hayır" (No), but Scaloni continued his outreach. Months later Messi accepted the invitation, citing a need for confidence rather than tactics.

Scaloni reshaped the squad’s spirit, surrounding Messi with players willing to share the burden, such as Rodrigo De Paul, Cristian Romero and Nicolás Tagliafico. He emphasized treating Messi as a person, not merely a footballer: "Scaloni does not see a footballer; he sees a human who plays football." This human‑focused approach fostered a family atmosphere within the team.

The renewed unity paid off at the 2022 World Cup, where Argentina secured the title, ending a 36‑year drought. The emotional weight of national expectations was distributed across the squad, allowing Messi to perform without carrying the entire burden alone.