Argentina men’s national football team head coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to downplay the significance of Tuesday’s game against Brazil, a match the team will play without Messi and could see them clinch a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s just a football match, 90 minutes where both teams want to win and that’s it,” Scaloni said in a press conference. 

“For us it’s all about consolidating our efforts and keep moving forward.”

The clash has been spiced up in the build up. With Argentina primed to take the lead in the head-to-head tally with a win, Brazilian forward Raphinha said the Verdeamarelha was ready to “give [Argentina] a whipping.” 

Defender Guilherme Arana warned they would “take the necessary measures” if any racist incidents occur. According to Scaloni, that’s an issue that’s “not on the team’s mind” and expressed hope that  “fans show up just to cheer for the national team.”

Argentina leads the South American Qualifiers with 28 points after 13 games. With the top six places granting direct access to the tournament, all it needs against Brazil is a draw to make it 13 points clear of seventh-placed Bolivia with just 12 left in play.

The Albiceleste coach said he anticipates a very tight game, similar to the one against Uruguay, as both teams can impose their game at different moments.

“I imagine a tough, difficult match,” he said. “Brazil has the players to be offensive. We’ll need to know how to counter that and stay alert, then hurt [them] when we control the ball.”

The game against Brazil will be the second of a double-header of key games where Argentina is without its leader on the pitch, Lionel Messi. The forward, who’ll turn 38 in June, has struggled with fitness issues for large chunks of time over the last two years, forcing Scaloni to ponder how Argentina will play without him.

“When Leo isn’t here, we have to find a way to play without him,” he said. “Luckily we have players who make his absence less noticeable. The team is very competitive, so whoever plays, that doesn’t change. We always compete and that makes us proud; we know whoever we field, we won’t be disappointed.”

Messi’s absences have cast a doubt over the possibility of him playing in the 2026 World Cup, but Scaloni is not worried. 

“Until we know, when the time comes, if he’s fit and ready to play, we can’t say much,” he said. “When that time comes, we’ll decide.”