Argentina coach dismisses concerns over Messi workload at 39

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni dismissed concerns over Lionel Messi’s workload on Friday, saying the 39-year-old remains in peak physical condition ahead of the team’s World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland.

Scaloni said internal tracking data showed Messi was covering similar distances per match as in previous tournaments.

"He's not running any more or any less than before. The numbers haven't changed," Scaloni said ahead of Saturday’s match at Kansas City Stadium.

"The team supports him a lot. Physically, he's prepared extremely well with his fitness coach, and that's paying off. He's giving everything."

Messi has scored eight goals in the tournament and is joint top of the Golden Boot standings alongside France captain Kylian Mbappé, who has played one more match.

Scaloni said Messi’s goal-scoring instincts had not diminished with age and backed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to continue performing at the highest level.

"People who don't know him might be surprised. At 39, some think he can't rise to the challenge anymore, but as long as he wants to keep playing, he'll continue to do it," Scaloni said.

"Anyone who watches him train can't imagine what he was like at 23 under [Pep] Guardiola at Barcelona. That's why, if you ask his teammates, they'll tell you the same thing: He's the best, and he'll remain the best for as long as he wants to play."

Scaloni added that Messi would retain full control over penalty duties despite missing two spot kicks during the tournament.

"It never even crosses my mind to ask him to change. He decides what he wants to do," he said.

He also stressed that Messi is free to determine his positioning on the pitch. In Argentina’s round-of-16 win over Egypt, Messi drifted to the right flank as the defending champions came back from two goals down, assisting Cristian Romero’s header before scoring the equaliser.

"If he moves [to the right] and a teammate goes inside, that's his decision," Scaloni said. "The team adapts around him. The players understand when he's involved in the build-up and moving into those areas. He decides whatever he wants to do."

Scaloni acknowledged that the prospect of Messi’s final World Cup has provided additional motivation for the squad.

"We know this will be his last World Cup, and that makes everything even more emotional," he added.

By Tamilla Hasanova