Agüero on Messi’s future and Argentina’s squad changes | OneFootball

Sergio Agüero, who was part of the beginning of the most successful era of the Argentine National Team in recent times, analyzed the current state of the national team, praised Lionel Scaloni’s work, and spoke about Lionel Messi’s future ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Kun’s words always carry weight, not only because of his career, but also due to his closeness with the group and with the captain himself.

During a conversation with the site Stake, the former striker was asked whether he would suggest Messi play in another World Cup or if his story should end with the triumph in Qatar. “I think we all want Leo to play forever, right? But it will be up to him to make that decision, whenever he chooses,” he answered, straightforwardly. He also spoke about the differences between the current squad and the one that lifted the third star. “I think the foundations remain the same. That’s very important, even though some key players, like Di María, have left,” he explained.

In that context, he especially highlighted the management of the Argentine coach, pointing to one of the keys to the successful transition after the World Cup: “But one of Scaloni’s greatest achievements, in my opinion, is that he managed to guide a natural renewal process in the squad. He gave opportunities to young, very talented players to shine and knew how to set the pace for their growth. Mastantuono or Nico Paz come to mind. I think that allows the team to maintain a good rhythm.”

Looking ahead to the next World Cup, Agüero avoided focusing on a single name and valued the collective performance as the main strength: “The whole team, really. If there’s something that characterizes Argentina, it’s their teamwork. Obviously, if Leo is there, he’s the main attraction. Besides him, Argentina has many brilliant players who are always up to the task: Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez. Each one brings a unique contribution and, moreover, great quality. But if there’s something to highlight, it’s the teamwork,” he concluded, reaffirming his view of the group beyond the individual stars.

Finally, he did not hold back praise for Julián Álvarez, whom he considers a key piece: “What Julián has achieved is astonishing. A player with the ability to move all over the pitch, he shows an enormous level of sacrifice and talent. The team (referring to Atlético de Madrid) should enjoy having him on their side, and so should the fans. I wouldn’t speculate about future transfers; I think this is the moment to enjoy his achievements with Atlético.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.