Lionel Scaloni wants his Argentina team remembered as fighters who never surrender, especially ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland. La Albiceleste cruised through the group stage but faced stern tests in the knockout rounds, surviving challenges from Cape Verde and Egypt to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 matches.
Argentina are chasing history by becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to defend the World Cup title successfully. But Scaloni knows Switzerland will provide another tough obstacle in Kansas City.
Speaking at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, the 48-year-old coach stressed resilience as the team's true legacy. "I would like this national team to be remembered as a team that never gave up," Scaloni said.
The Argentina boss revealed he was deeply moved after witnessing a young fan's passionate support for the squad. "We, the technical staff and the players, play football for this.
We do not play football just for a win," he told reporters.
Scaloni described the emotional impact of seeing youngsters express such devotion to the national colours. "When you see a 10-year-old saying those things and talking with that passion, and everyone shouting 'Argentina', that is just so emotional.
That is the legacy I want," he added.
Lionel Messi returns to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, where he launched Argentina's campaign with a hat-trick in a 3-0 demolition of Algeria. The Inter Miami captain is tied with France's Kylian Mbappe on eight goals in the Golden Boot race.
Messi has also extended his record as football's highest-scoring World Cup player with 21 career goals. He missed two penalties during the tournament, but Scaloni confirmed there's no debate about who takes spot-kicks for Argentina going forward.
A win over Switzerland would push Argentina within touching distance of retaining the World Cup crown. They'd become the first team in over 60 years to claim back-to-back titles.
