The game of soccer is ever-changing as the players, tactics, strategies, and playing styles keep changing. It is no longer the same as the generations that played it before, with so many changes. Lionel Scaloni knows this best, being a veteran of times when teams were more focused on individual brilliance.
The World Cup-winning Argentinian manager has seen as a manager the decline of the old method of training, replaced with a new model that focuses on teamwork rather than individualism. And he used a perfect example in Lionel Messi to explain this.
Lionel Scaloni provides eye-opening message using Lionel Messi
Lionel Scaloni has much experience playing alongside Lionel Messi and even managing him for Argentina in recent years. The pair have had much success together, winning three international trophies in a row, including the World Cup. He knows what a player like Messi is and how valuable he is.
As the modern game focuses more on tactics and teamwork than developing a player’s creative skills, Scaloni believes the very ‘essence of soccer’ will disappear. He spoke to Marca, where he said that his kids, who are training in Spain, are not being allowed to play creatively.
“We are losing the essence of football. Not only at a professional level, but also with kids.” “My children play in Spain and are overwhelmed with information. They receive the ball, and they’re already being told what to do.”
🇦🇷🗣️ Lionel Scaloni: "We are losing the essence of football. Not only at a professional level, but also with kids."
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 27, 2024
"My children play in Spain and are overwhelmed with information. They receive the ball, and they're already being told what to do."
"There are fewer dribblers… pic.twitter.com/gAIWyUlMcv
He used Messi as a prime example of how young players should not be trained like robots: “Of course, there are no dribblers. There are no dribblers because as soon as they receive the ball you say ‘Pass it!’. Imagine if Messi when he was eight years old had been told all the time ‘Pass it!’ by his coaches, we wouldn’t have him today.” Clearly, if Messi was indeed trained in this way, he may not have turned out to be the player we know him to be.
Scaloni reiterated that young players should be allowed to have fun and enjoy themselves more rather than be picked out for their mistakes. At a certain age, they can be instructed to play in a specific manner.
Argentina boss fires back at Messi’s critics
Lionel Messi has continued to impress the world of soccer, winning FIFA’s Best Award. However, many felt that the award should have been given to Erling Haaland instead and have raised questions over it’s credibility, including Messi’s eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Lionel Scaloni believes such criticism is’strange’ and that Messi completely deserved it. He said that there is no question over the award being given to his team’s captain: “I think the debate goes beyond football, I don’t think there is a debate between the footballer or the coach as to why he won it.
Lionel Scaloni: "Controversy about Messi's FIFA the Best award? I believe the debate goes beyond football; I don't think there should be a debate about why Messi won, whether it's the player or the coach. If Haaland or Mbappé had won, it would have been fine too. It's a… pic.twitter.com/oJiHx9ZEuy
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) January 26, 2024
He also defended it by saying the award is voted on by national team managers and players: “If Haaland or Mbappe had won it, it would have been fine too. It’s media stuff. Debating why Messi won it when football people vote is strange.”
Lionel Scaloni is enjoying a short vacation while club soccer is going on, but he will be preparing his side for the upcoming Copa America tournament in June, as the Albicelestes will want to keep their success ongoing.
