Di Maria insists Messi retirement talk is premature and backs Scaloni to stay with Argentina

Angel Di Maria says Lionel Messi will decide his own retirement date and believes the Argentina captain can continue “for many more years”, despite reports that the 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain would be his last international appearance.

Messi, who is 39, played the full match as Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final in the United States, failing to retain the title they had won at Qatar 2022.

In the wake of that defeat, speculation in Argentina and abroad intensified that the former Barcelona forward would call time on his international career.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Di Maria moved to shut down those claims, insisting only Messi will choose the moment he steps away from the national team.

“Yes, Leo should continue for as long as he wants,” Di Maria said. “I think he can go on for many more years.”

‘At 39 he has proved he is still one of the best’

Di Maria, a long-time international team-mate of Messi and a key figure in Argentina’s recent trophy wins, stressed that age has not diminished the captain’s influence or level.

“At 39 he has proved that he is still one of the best, and even one of the best in the history of football,” he added.

“I don’t think there is a ceiling to what he can offer.”

Messi’s appearance in the final against Spain came four years after he lifted the World Cup for the first time in Qatar, where Argentina beat France on penalties.

The defeat in the 2026 showpiece ended Argentina’s bid to win back-to-back World Cups for the first time since 1958-62, when Brazil achieved the feat.

Support for Scaloni’s project

Di Maria also offered strong backing to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, whose future has been questioned since the loss to Spain.

On the man who has overseen Argentina’s resurgence, including the 2021 Copa America triumph and the 2022 World Cup success, Di Maria was unequivocal.

“He is the leader of this ‘Scaloneta’ and of this national team (this current era), and I hope he stays,” the winger said.

“I think he is building a great generation of young players, and that is something that benefits the national team.”

Scaloni, who took charge in 2018, has been credited with refreshing the squad and integrating a new core of younger footballers around Messi, helping deliver Argentina’s most successful period since the era of Diego Maradona.

‘The decision is his, but I hope he continues’

Di Maria underlined that any call on Scaloni’s future rests with the coach himself, but made clear that the dressing room would welcome his continuation.

“The decision is his, of course, he knows what he wants,” Di Maria concluded.

“But as an Argentine, I hope he continues his work with the national team.”