Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has called for patience regarding Lionel Messi’s decision over whether or not he will play at the 2026 World Cup.

Scaloni’s side thrashed Brazil 4-1 on Wednesday without Messi, who is currently sidelined with an adductor injury, to inflict upon their South American rivals their heaviest ever defeat in a World Cup qualifying match.

Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone grabbed the goals for the reigning world champions to ensure the holders’ safe passage to the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next year.

Now 37 years of age, speculation has been growing about whether Messi will appear in his sixth World Cup as Argentina look to become only the third team in history after Italy and Brazil – and the first nation since the Selecao in 1962 – to win successive men’s tournaments.

Lionel Scaloni wants Messi to decide at his own pace whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina 👀 pic.twitter.com/oOsoHd5US0

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 27, 2025

However, Scaloni, who guided Argentina to World Cup triumph in 2022, has insisted the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will make the call when he is ready and should not be pressed for a decision.

“There’s plenty of time,” the Argentina head coach said. “We must take it one game at a time, otherwise we’ll be discussing this all year.

“We need to leave him [Messi] alone. He will decide when he wants. Let’s not drive him crazy.”

Messi captained his country to the title in Qatar and, despite his age, his compatriots believe he still has much to offer the team.

Speaking after the victory over Brazil, Alvarez said: “With Messi, we might have scored two or three more goals.”

While Rodrigo De Paul echoed that sentiment: “The best version of our team is always when the No. 10 is playing, because he is the greatest of all time.”