Argentina v Switzerland LIVE: Team news and latest updates as Lionel Messi eyes World Cup 2026 semi-finals – UK Times

“Leo ⁠runs more or less the ‌same in every match,” Scaloni said. “Physically, it’s true that he has done preparation work with his fitness coach and it has paid off, but in ‌terms of numbers I don’t know if he ‌has changed that much.”

“What is clear is that he’s giving everything he has. When he gives everything he has and senses that he can create danger, he is a machine,” the coach `added. Scaloni said those expecting age to catch up with Messi did not know the player well enough.”It doesn’t surprise me,” he said.

“Maybe people who don’t know him expected that at 39 he wouldn’t be at this level, but I don’t know how many times I’ve said it: as long as he wants to, he will be the best. I think that, and not because ‌I’m his coach.”

Argentine Antonio Rattín, a former Boca Juniors player whose act of defiance while representing Argentina at the 1966 World Cup helped lead to the introduction of yellow and red cards, has died, the country’s football federation said Saturday. He was 84.

Rattín died in Buenos Aires, according to the Argentine Football Association, or AFA, which expressed its “deepest sorrow at the passing of a historic symbol of Boca Juniors and the national team,” with whom he played in two World Cups.

A defensive midfielder known for his physical, hard-tackling style, Rattín won six Argentine league titles with Boca Juniors and was a Copa Libertadores runner-up in 1963.

“Rattín was one of us and loved these colours so much that they were the only ones he chose to defend throughout his 14-year career. A leader, an Argentine and forever a Bostero,” the club said.

With Argentina, Rattín played at the 1962 World Cup in Chile and the 1966 tournament in England, and also finished runner-up in the Copa América twice.

1. Kylian Mbappe (France), 8 goals, (3 assists)

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 8 goals (1 assist)

3. Erling Haaland (Norway), 7 goals (0 assists)

4. Harry Kane (England), 6 goals (1 assist)

5. Ousmane Dembele (France), 5 goals (2 assists)

= 6. Vinicius Jr (Brazil), 4 goals (1 assist)

= 6. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), 4 goals (1 assist)

= 6. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), 4 goals (1 assist)

= 6. Julian Quinones (Mexico), 4 goals (1 assist)

To think the phrase was coined about a Barcelona side blessed with a range of talents. Messidependencia, an over-reliance on Lionel Messi, has been a supposed thing for years now. And yet, as the man himself is in his 40th year, perhaps never as much of a thing.

As Argentina seek to retain the World Cup 2026, the questions surrounding their candidature are no longer if Messi is too old, but if his supporting cast can provide enough support. The burden of proof is on the other 10; or, in these days of supersized squads, the other 25.

Who needs this World Cup the most?

Well, that’s quite plainly Argentina.

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Argentina v Switzerland in the final World Cup 2026 quarter-final.

Lionel Messi is back and hoping to continue his outstanding form, which has seen him sit level on goals with Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.

Switzerland held their nerve on penalties against Colombia and have remained under the radar throughout the tournament.

Follow all the build-up to the game, which follows Norway v England.