Coach Lionel Scaloni has made a special decision when talking about Lionel Messi in his selection strategy for the Argentina team. Different from the usual philosophy, Scaloni emphasized that Messi is always an exception.

Coach Lionel Scaloni shared about the rules for selecting the squad for the Argentina national team, accordingly, an important factor he looks at is that the players must have regular playing time to easily evaluate. However, he affirmed that Messi’s case is an exception, he is always given special priority when considering being included in the call-up list.

Speaking ahead of the 2026 World Cup South American qualifier against Peru at 7:00 a.m. on November 20, Argentina coach Scaloni said: “We usually prioritize players with stable playing time. After the Copa América, the tight schedule forced us to keep the core group intact to maintain cohesion. However, in Messi’s case, things are different. He always stays active even when resting. The important thing is that he maintains the rhythm of the game.”

Messi joined up with the national team after Inter Miami were eliminated early in the MLS playoffs, which ended the season on November 9. Despite dealing with injuries throughout the season, Messi made a remarkable impact, making 22 appearances, scoring 21 goals and providing 11 assists. This not only earned him a nomination for the MLS Most Valuable Player award, but also a third-place finish in the Golden Boot race.

“Messi’s season has shown that he is a player who never stops giving, especially with the Copa América approaching,” Scaloni said. “Despite being affected by injuries, he has maintained a high level of performance when playing with us.”

In fact, Messi played a key role in Argentina’s Copa America triumph, with a goal and an assist in the tournament and six goals and two assists in World Cup qualifying. This consistency proves that Messi is an irreplaceable factor for the team.

Although he had to wait until pre-season to return with Inter Miami, Messi has maintained a close connection with the national team. The match against Peru, at La Bombonera, will close the November international transfer window and will be another opportunity for Messi to prove his leadership role.

With Scaloni’s trust, Messi is not only a player but also an inspiration for the whole team, affirming his unique position in the Argentina shirt.