Argentina Coach Sends Clear Message on Lionel Messi After Missed Penalties

Argentina star Lionel Messi missed a penalty attempt against Egypt in the Round of 16 in what looked like it would be the team’s last in the World Cup.

However, the team sparked a miraculous comeback with three goals in 13 minutes to win the game 3-2 and advance to the quarterfinals against Switzerland. The missed penalty was Messi’s second of this summer’s tournament and he’s converted only four of his last seven for Argentina dating back to the 2022 World Cup.

Manager Lionel Scaloni made it clear Messi’s legacy and excellent recent form had earned him the right to make his own decision on the issue.

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“First of all, Leo will take penalties if he wants to,” Scaloni said Friday in his press conference the day before Argentina’s FIFA World Cup quarterfinal matchup with Switzerland. “We have other players capable of taking them, but if he wants to take them, he’ll take them.”

Messi entered the quarterfinals with a one-goal lead over Kylian Mbappe, who pulled ahead with a miraculous goal against Morocco earlier this week. While the two are tied at eight goals apiece, Mbappe holds the lead over Messi thanks to his assists.

The Argentina star has a chance to get his lead back tonight against Switzerland at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 11:19 AM.