Copa America Recap: Scaloni's Tactics & Messi's Future After Copa América Win | Morning Footy

Nico Cantor joins Morning Footy to discuss the Copa América final, highlighting Scaloni’s tactical changes during the match. They also talk about Messi's emotional reaction after exiting the final due to injury and consider what the future holds for Lionel Messi with the Argentina national team.
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[@davidcamargo9656]

This guy (Nico) know what he is talking about. Everyone one else is just still in kindergarden learning the game.

[@damian7304]

Argentina midfield did a great job that keep Colombia in the middle of the park

[@Lampropeltis32]

eh. I don't think so. Our midfield played well. Granted, DePaul's antics certainly helped slow things in the midfield for us. What the big difference here was Argentina's outrageously impressive defense. It's better now than it was at the 2022 WC. Argentina's defenders are so quick to close off lanes and get in between the ball and the goal. And they're so damn accurate in where they put their feet to deflect or block a shot on goal. It's insane to watch. Lerma actually did a great job in the midfield and won most of his battles. But that Argentina D.... just damn.

[@detonator2112]

Argentina defense is crazy. Lisandro Martinez and Cuti Romero were rock solid again. Argentina allowed only one goal in the whole tournament. They play VERY defensive football. Not pretty to watch but imho yesterday they simply waited until Colombia ran out of gas and put an extra gear on (and made those three changes that transformed the game). Typical Scaloni era win.

[@sidepriest]

Scaloni is a damn menace ! 🤯

[@billyroche1951]

Absolutely agree. Cuti and Lisa along with Dibu were a wall to big to get over.

[@MrHds46]

I could see this Argentina team winning against Spain 2008-2012 team in penalties or extra time. That Spain team was about possession more than attack or defense. They would b3 simply gassed up and either finished in ET or in penalties because argentina NT is penalty specs and has Dibu. No way that Spain is going to score even one against Argentina defense.

[@marfon7618]

That moment where Romero and Lisandro both going for the ball was insane. Made things easier for the GK

[@JaiMartirez]

Scaloni is simply genius. I think the rotation from group stage going to finals was perfect. After this CA 2024, i hope we can see more from carboni. I don't mind if messi can't get enough minutes. The strength of this Argentina is the midfield and defense. The forwards; Alvarez, Lautaro, Nico will be in their peak perfectly on 2026 world cup. This is still young core team. Removing the old ones; Otamendi, Angel, Messi, Acuna, Damn, they are still formidable team for world cup.

[@DjLeo10101]

👑 Argentina 🇦🇷♾️🐐 GOATED MESSIA FORCE ⚽🥇🌎🌍🌏

[@basedboys17]

Messi goat 🐐

[@aarifboy]

Finalissima, I hope Messi gets it too, and Di Maria also agrees to play one more game. 😁

[@senseiskywalker]

Di maria should stay retire. He already done so much for argentina.

[@makomako156]

Very difficult to get motivation when u got everything

[@gordwilkes]

I believe, as you do, that this is the last international tournament for Messi... But I do believe he will play again for Argentina in a friendly or a testimonial or both... But he will not be featuring in the World Cup in 2026, this was it... I remember when Di Maria came to Canada in 2007 with U-20 team with Sergio Aguerro... Seems like yesterday.

[@sidepriest]

Time flies 😰

[@GinaSigillito]

@@gordwilkes it’s really hitting me that they’re both leaving us. I agree he will probably play a friendly or something similar. I think that’s why we saw so much emotion last night.

[@christarlite2]

I think argentina without di maria and messi can still challenge for 2026 world cup as long as scaloni is still coaching!

[@masimbasaruwaka653]

Very impressive analysis. Spot on. Messi played this tournament INJURED is the point. I watched some other podcasts and you hear idiots saying Messi didn't perform without putting context to it! The man was injured! He is a hero and Courageous to play with an injury. That's why he is the GOAT!!!

[@GinaSigillito]

Thank god for Nico’s analysis. I agree this will be Messi’s last major tournament with Argentina.

[@ThePolypam]

I think he's got a couple of bench participations in 2026 dropped back, a bit like Modric. But he's a wise, mature man and whatever he decides will be what's best.

[@basedboys17]

W Messi

[@karomancia]

Messi will not retire like this, he will come back, play and retire when HE DECIDES TO DO SO.

[@robertosso5210]

hes going to play in the next world cup. he has something to play for, he wants 2 copas and 2 world cups

[@AnukamUche-ht7hm]

The Paul was a monster , Romero and Martinez of Man United ..

[@ThePolypam]

De Paul.

[@henryfranco9753]

@@ThePolypam no bro, he is THE Paul.

[@frazer4737]

Nigel was about to make the cocaine joke with that Maradona shirt😂😂😂

[@DazedAndConfuzing]

Messi in the last 20-30min as a playmaking 10 could win games for several years at the highest level. Id be concerned with his injury record since leaving Barcelona. If they can manage to keep him healthy and he has the desire he should be at the World Cup even if it’s just for reduced minutes and a leadership role.

[@Publicistvideos]

Yes Colombia won most of the midfield battles, had more possession and passes, but they wasted those opportunities with desperate long shots. They didn’t have clever ideas for the last third. They had 19 shots only 4 were on target. Dibu Martinez wasn’t challenged much.

[@makomako156]

Also Argentina defender from Man U and spur were crazy. I think Romero is the best defender in the world right now!

[@MountainEncounters]

@@makomako156 If you watched Romero play for Tottenham, he plays like an above average CB, but when he plays for Argentina, he's a beast. It what happens when your whole team is united with a common goal and everyone has each other's backs.

[@MrJnta]

@@MountainEncounters Also with game plan.

[@Lampropeltis32]

@@makomako156 Accurate

[@Lampropeltis32]

that was a bit frustrating. I do think that both Lerma and Rios tend to fire off shots from beyond the arc prematurely more than I'd like to see. But we were missing a key piece in this game and Argentina has an incredible defense. I think with Munoz in the game it could have been a different outcome. But that's what happens in tournaments. Colombia still has to build some depth in some key spots. But this was a great lesson for this team moving forward. Congrats to Argentina. Their championship qualities elevated them this game and deservedly so.

[@LaMASIA-5611]

Very good analysis 👍

[@MyMason911]

Messi could have had goal on a break away nice dribble pass to di maria. di maria passed to him he hit but it hit alvarez in the butt who was flying thru the box. That was goin in.

[@michaelclayton9658]

This is the best Argentina have played without Messi. They didn’t need him

[@MountainEncounters]

You're incorrect. Messi is the faith and religion of the Argentina squad. It was because of Messi that Argentina played this well. If you take Messi completely out of the picture, this team will be an above average team and that's it; every player playing for themselves and not for a collective goal. Look at England and Portugal; super star players but little chemistry and little team complement. The current Argentina team was built around Messi and to cover his weaknesses. Lionel Scoloni is a tactical genus and utilized his starting lineup and subs to his team's strengths and weaknesses. Messi was upset with himself that he got injured and could not help cement a win for the team, especially for Di Maria's farewell match. Upon seeing Messi's heartbreak, his teammates dug deeper and played harder than ever to secure a win for both Messi and Di Maria. Don't underestimate the power of spirit; that's why Home games are such a big deal. If you've ever played in a final match with thousand of people in the stands and cheering you on, you'll understand what that brings. So even though the Argentina team did play better after Messi was subbed out, it was also that same reason they were able to garner up energy and play their hearts out to win the match.

[@jorgemansilla9043]

God’s shirt.

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Bingo

[@dhabindrashrestha3417]

Argentina have plan B on bench, that's why Argentina win.

[@sentitzudir7713]

He can still contribute in the final 30 minutes

[@JhonJhoni-py6vc]

Messi can play in 2026WC for 30 minutes in the second half, during which a team needs creativity. despite not scoring goals, Messi managed to create chances and assists in this Copa America. Without Messi, football is less artistic

[@balintverebelyi3481]

Hi did score one goal.

[@briaf3370]

They have a deep bench. Full stop

[@jack_dparrow]

De Paul gas tank has fuel for 150 mins. One of the most durable player I have seen

[@Lampropeltis32]

it's because he spends a lot of game time on the ground. While he's acting he's also taking a breather.

[@jack_dparrow]

@@Lampropeltis32 haha. He was taking rest kinda😀

[@Lampropeltis32]

@@jack_dparrow lol. I swear to god that's what he does lol

[@segunfayomi4949]

If Messi follows Argentina to the next World Cup, it will be solely for marketing and commercial aspects of the game.

[@adrianalaleona874]

I forgot the field was a mess, they changed it two days before.

[@adrianalaleona874]

Messi all he wants is to play and win I’m Argentinian I know!

[@fernandomartin75]

Decepcionado un poco por Messi, me queda claro que nunca estuvo bien, y que incluso no lo llevaron a Dyabala porque sabían que tomaría relevancia si lo reemplazaba, y que priorizaron el ego de un jugador que ademas gano todo, en desmedro del equipo, pero por sobre todo, priorizando los negocios y acuerdos que tienen la FIFA/AFA/MLS. Se ganó la copa, pero quedo mas que claro que la selección juega mejor sin Messi, y como está demostrando Di Maria, el momento para retirarse es ahora. Agradecido con Messi eternamente, me he peleado con mucha gente por defenderlo cuando lo defenestraban, pero creo que ya debe dar ese paso, y acompañar incluso desde otro lugar, el cuerpo técnico lo sumaria. Espero sinceramente no vaya como jugador a la próxima copa del mundo.

[@MrJuan051996]

Reloco che, como vas a pensar q no van a querer un jugador q puede opacar a messi. Ellos llevan a los mejores

[@senseiskywalker]

Dybala was injured.

[@victortepes1540]

Delirante por donde se lo mire. Que acuerdos tiene AFA con FIFA? . La verdad es que Dybala muchas veces reemplazó a Messi, en juegos en que estaba lesionado y jamás dió la talla, solo ha jugado buenos partidos estando Messi en campo, por ejemplo, los minutos que entró en la Finalissima. La selección no juega mejor sin Messi, jamás, porque lo que puede hacer Messi no lo hace ningún otro jugador. Correr adversarios, ocupar espacios, dar pases de tres metros, lo hace cualquier jugador profesional. Pasar la pelota entre 20 piernas y dejar solo ante el arqueo a un jugador, solo lo puede hacer Messi, por eso el resto redobla esfuerzos para que esté en el equipo.

[@quanthehiep]

@@victortepes1540 Absolutely right! When Mess left the team during the WC 2018 qualification, Dybala or other guys in Argentina did not take the team well and almost failed to pass the round until Messi's comeback with hattrick against Ecuador in the last game.

[@karomancia]

Que opinión tan ignorante. Se ve lo chiquito que eres como persona en tus aspiraciones, así te va a volver el karma si tratas a las personas alrededor tuyo como si fueran descartables. Mejor ve a opinar de tenis.

[@TopD69]

2 robbed penalties from Colombia interesting how Nico didn’t mention that 😂 must be nice to be a fan to a country who get gifted every award due to Messi

[@tonym6315]

Penalty handball against Colombia too

[@FranciscoTorres-fj7is]

😂 this emoji means: pain, emotions are high, making excuses. Emotions create excuses and losers explain.

[@dmnick123ify]

Lies lies

[@Lampropeltis32]

Eh, there were plenty of skipped penalties for both teams. This ref pretty much just let them play; though I think he went to far in that direction. I will say it is true that GOAT's get the benefit of questionable calls but that happens in EVERY sport. So yes, with Messi in the game and Argentina's current status as top team on the planet, they are likely to get favorable calls often. But again, that's not a Argentina or futbol only situation.

[@Ro-nu7vv]

Need to beg for penalties to win 😂 Amateur !

[@hkmrsrg1367]

I think it's time to call it quits. I love Messi but he's declined a lot.