Scaloni Reveals How He Persuaded Messi for Farewell Match

Lionel Scaloni, the manager of the Argentina national football team, disclosed his efforts to persuade Lionel Messi to return for a farewell match following Messi's retirement from international football. Scaloni stated that a player of Messi's caliber deserved a proper tribute from Argentina's supporters.

He mentioned that he played a crucial role in convincing Messi, with support from the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Scaloni expressed satisfaction with Messi's decision to participate, highlighting that the farewell match would allow fans to honor Messi's significant contributions to the national team.

He noted that despite the challenges Messi faced, including the emotional impact of Argentina's defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final and the loss of his father, Messi was eager to say goodbye to his supporters. Scaloni emphasized the importance of the timing for this tribute, stating that it was essential to honor Messi now rather than later.