2026 World Cup: Scaloni – I want Argentina to be a team that never gives up

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he wants his national team to be remembered as a side that “never gives up,” as they prepare to face Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals in North America on Sunday morning.

The South American side is now unbeaten in 11 World Cup matches, aiming to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil in 1962. Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the match at Arrowhead Stadium, Scaloni said that supporting Argentina is about “passion.” He added, “I want this national team to be remembered as a side that never gives up.”

He confirmed he was moved after seeing a young child expressing support for the national team, saying, “We, the coaching staff and players, play football for this. We don’t play just to win. And when you see those moments that come from our hearts, it’s truly wonderful. When you see a ten-year-old boy saying these things, speaking with such passion, and everyone chanting ‘Argentina,’ it is deeply moving. That is the legacy I want.”

The quarter-final match at Arrowhead Stadium will see star Lionel Messi return to the place where he scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match of the current tournament in a 3-0 win over Algeria. The Inter Miami CF forward is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot, and has also become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 21 career goals, one ahead of the Spanish Real Madrid striker.

Scaloni said his star will remain the best as long as he wants to be, adding, “At 39 years old, some may think he won’t be able to rise to the challenge, but I’ve said before that as long as he wants to, he will remain the best. I don’t say this because I coach him, but because I believe that if he wants to, he will continue to be the best.”