Coach Lionel Scaloni of the world championship team Argentina cited Lionel Messi’s playing style as an illustration to express his concern that the beauty of modern football could be killed.

In an interview with Marca, coach Scaloni criticized the excessive abuse of tactics in football today, when he told GOAL: “Of course, when players play tactics mechanically, the world There will be no more good dribblers. No one dares to hold the ball and dribble because as soon as they receive the ball, their teammates tell them to pass it.

Imagine if Messi, when he was just 8 years old, had always been told: “Pass” by his coaches, the world of football might not have witnessed his brilliance today. Football without someone like Messi would lack appeal. The performance of this sport has become too big an issue, when everyone reads, studies and thinks they can control everything with dry tactical forms.

The Argentine coach continued to analyze: “If a coach recommends that a 7 or 8 year old child with the ball must pass immediately and not dribble, it is ridiculous, it is killing football. Let the child play. football, let that young player make mistakes, and when we are 14 or 15 years old, we begin to correct them. This is a message for the future. Football is a sport of individual creativity and the beauty of it should not be lost.”

Coach Scaloni is worried that personal creativity will dwindle and that when football no longer has a good player like Messi, it will lose its appeal. Photo: GETTY.

The world champion’s teacher also pointed out that for children around 12 or 13 years old, playing football and having fun should take precedence over tactical discipline: “The obvious example is with children when they are 12 or 13 years old. At age, they must play football and demonstrate their skills. Coaches should not discipline them too much, because this will take away children’s instincts and football thinking. When players do not have a thinking If you play football comfortably, there will no longer be outstanding individuals like Messi.”

And under Scaloni’s guidance, Argentina has enjoyed success in recent years, winning the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The team is preparing to defend their Copa America trophy this summer.

Meanwhile, stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are about to face each other at the 2024 Riyadh Season Cup in club colors, which could also be the last time the two icons of world football play on the same field on February 1.

Messi and Ronaldo will meet at the Riyadh Season Cup on February 1. Photo: GETTY.

Previously, Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo shared a positive message about his injury on social media , implying that he will return to play soon. This comforts fans who are looking forward to watching him play with Inter Miami Club, and face long-term rival Lionel Messi.

Most recently, Al Nassr had to cancel their China tour due to Ronaldo’s injury. This understandably raises doubts about his participation in the most awaited match at the Riyadh Season Cup. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner sent an Instagram post, saying he was ready to take the field against Messi. He shared a photo greeting Al Nassr fans with the caption: “See you soon!”.