Lionel Messi chose team over personal records in Jordan clash
Lionel Scaloni revealed that Lionel Messi requested to start on the bench against Jordan to prioritize team harmony over individual achievements.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Lionel Messi prioritized the collective squad over personal accolades during Argentina's final group stage match. Despite his pursuit of immortality, the 39-year-old requested to start among the substitutes, a decision that head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed was driven by the player himself.
Today he could have played 90 minutes and, with all due respect to the opponent, he could have further cemented his legendary status. But he preferred to let his team-mates get playing time and focus on what's to come. That speaks volumes about him, because he doesn't dwell on those numbers that everyone talks about. Lionel Scaloni
Even from the bench, Messi continued his record-breaking form. After entering in the 60th minute, he needed only 20 minutes to convert a clinical free-kick, becoming the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The strike brought his tournament tally to 19 goals.
Argentina now shifts focus to a round of 32 clash against Cape Verde. Scaloni has warned against complacency, noting that the African side has proven resilient against elite opposition. The manager also expressed concerns regarding the high temperatures in Miami and the challenging schedule ahead of the knockout phase.