SUMMARY
- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has finally responded to Cristiano Ronaldo's comments on Lionel Messi.
- Cristiano Ronaldo recently won big at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2023.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has finally responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments on Lionel Messi. Messi recently won an unprecedented and record-extending eighth FIFA The Best. Shortly before winning it, Messi also won his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023. However, Messi’s wins didn’t go down well with his arch-rival Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently won big at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2023. The Al-Nassr star received the Maradona Award for being the highest goal scorer in 2023. He also won the Best Middle East Player award for his performance over the last year in the Saudi Pro League. During the award ceremony, Ronaldo raised questions over the credibility of Lionel Messi’s The Best and Ballon d’Or wins.
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CRISTIANO RONALDO:
“The Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best awards are losing credibility.” pic.twitter.com/EVw8sqhggy
— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) January 21, 2024
Ronaldo said, “I think that, in a way, these awards are losing credibility.” He further stated that while he stands by his statement, he wasn’t claiming that Messi didn’t deserve to win it. Nevertheless, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni issued a subtle reply to Ronaldo’s claims in a recent interview with Marca. He stated that there shouldn’t be any controversy regarding Messi’s win.
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
Scaloni said, “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.” Scaloni further reiterated that the controversy about Messi‘s win was being driven by the media. Lastly, Scaloni also rightly pointed out that there shouldn’t be questions raised over Messi’s win since the Argentine won with the help of the soccer stars who voted for him.
Lionel Scaloni believes Lionel Messi’s retirement won’t be a problem for Argentina
Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni has also weighed in on Lionel Messi’s potential retirement from the Argentina national team. After winning everything there is to win in soccer, Messi is in the twilight of his career. The Inter Miami talisman is set to turn 37 in June 2024, and he won’t be playing much longer. However, Scaloni has downplayed the impact of Messi’s future retirement on the national team.
• You have a contract as the national team coach until the 2026 World Cup. How do you envision the Argentine national team when Messi, Di María, and Otamendi are no longer there?
Lionel Scaloni; “Eventually, there comes a time when legends like Maradona, Ruggeri, and other… pic.twitter.com/m28o7YG3R6
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) January 26, 2024
Scaloni said, “Eventually, there comes a time when legends like Maradona, Ruggeri, and other great players leave the Argentine national team, yet Argentina continues.” The Argentine coach added that while Messi’s departure would hurt, the rest of the national team members must continue playing and working. The most important issue after Messi’s exit, Scaloni stated, would be to rebuild a team with the same quality.
Lionel Scaloni reveals his coaching idol
In the meantime, Lionel Scaloni also revealed his managerial idol in his recent interview with Marca. Despite being a rather young coach, Scaloni has already established his place in Argentine soccer history. At just 45 years of age, Scaloni has won the Copa America, the Finalissima, and the World Cup. Talking about his coaching idols, Scaloni showered praise on the likes of Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone, Simone Inzaghi, and so on.
However, for the 2022 World Cup winner, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is his point of reference. Scaloni said, “Ancelotti is the reference of what I want to be as a coach.” It is safe to say that Scaloni’s choice of his coaching idol is a safe one. With Ancelotti being one of the most decorated managers of all time, the Argentine fans would be hoping that Scaloni managed to replicate Carlo’s success for the Argentina national team.