’Best player ever to set foot on a pitch’ —An emotional Scaloni hails Messi after World Cup final defeat

– A teary-eyed Lionel Scaloni fought back the emotions on Sunday night to pay tribute to Lionel Messi, declaring the 39-year-old captain as the greatest footballer in history even as Argentina’s dream of back‑to‑back World Cup titles slipped away in a heartbreaking 1‑0 defeat to Spain.

“He’s 39 years old now. Unbelievable,” Scaloni said after the final at MetLife Stadium. “From my side, I knew it well, and I was completely certain that he would continue playing until he himself decided to stop. His teammates in the national team and everyone around him would give everything for him.”

The defending champions had clawed their way through four knockout matches with late drama, but finally ran out of answers against a dominant Spanish side. Reduced to ten men after Enzo Fernandez’s second yellow card deep into stoppage time, Argentina succumbed to Ferran Torres’ 106th‑minute strike. Messi, who had scored eight goals and provided four assists across the tournament， struggled to impose his usual influence as Spain’s midfield starved him of supply.

Yet defeat did nothing to diminish Scaloni’s reverence for his captain.

“I hope he’s proud of his teammates, and I think he is,” Scaloni said. “And I also hope that the people are proud of their national team, proud of him and everything he’s given.”

The Argentina coach, who broke down in tears during his post‑match press conference, insisted that Messi’s legacy had been sealed long before this tournament. “In my opinion, he’s the best player to have ever set foot on a football field,” Scaloni declared. “And what he did in this World Cup was astonishing, but it doesn’t change anything for me, because his status was already settled long before that.”

Messi’s campaign – his sixth World Cup – saw him become the tournament’s all‑time top scorer with 21 goals. He also etched his name in history as the first player to captain his nation in three World Cup finals. Earlier in the week, Scaloni had called the forward “pure history” and “a legend,” urging fans to cherish every moment.

“Sadly, Maradona is no longer with us, so we have to enjoy him,” Scaloni had said before the final, referencing Diego Maradona. “He is a legend, along with this group of players.”

When asked whether Sunday’s final would be Messi’s last international appearance, Scaloni deflected the question. “Ask him. I didn’t have any idea. He doesn’t stop surprising us.”

What is certain, however, is the bond between the 39‑year‑old captain and the teammates who surrounded him. “It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to stop and that everyone would support him,” Scaloni said.

For a coach who has guided Argentina to a World Cup triumph and two Copa America crowns across five remarkable years, the defeat was agonising – but not without pride.

“I feel sad,” Scaloni admitted. “One could say many things about how we got here, but it’s not worth it. Endless thanks to these players who once again took us to the final.”

As Spain celebrated becoming the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles simultaneously, Argentina’s players left the pitch with silver medals – and a captain whose place in football’s pantheon, in Scaloni’s words, had been settled long before any final whistle.

“I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he’s achieved,” Scaloni said, “because he’s the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch. I have no doubt about this.”

---