Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's coach, expressed after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup final that he has no doubt that Lionel Messi "is the best in history", assured that it is exciting to have reached the decisive match for the title and confirmed that his team played the game they had to play to beat Croatia.

If Messi is the greatest in history? Sometimes it seems that we are Argentines and we are a little selfish because he is Argentine and he is the best in history. But I think there is no doubt.

"Seeing him is exciting, because every time you see them he generates something for his teammates, for the people and not only for the Argentines. It's lucky and a privilege that he's wearing the light blue and white," he said at the press conference after the match. match, at Lusail Stadium.

"It is something very exciting to have qualified for the final, but there is still a step left. It is a moment for everyone to enjoy, but this is not over and to think about what is to come," said Scaloni, who also claimed he had no preference for the opponent in the final, which will come out of this Wednesday's duel between Morocco and France: "I never went looking for a rival. Whoever I play. They both deserve to be there. They are two great teams and we are seeing who the rival is."

Regarding repeating the success achieved by Argentina in other World Cups, Scaloni was clear. "I'm in the final and I can't compare myself with them (Menotti, Bilardo and Sabella), because they are the history of the national team. They are people who have made this shirt great. It fills me with pride to be able to lead a final and represent the national team, but he couldn't put me on a level with people who have made history in the world of football. Already being able to direct the final is a privilege".

Lionel Messi called best player ever as pundits react to Argentine's masterclass

Lionel Messi was dubbed the greatest player of all time as he led Argentina into the World Cup final - and surely one last chance to win the game's most famous trophy before he retires.

The 35-year-old seven-time Ballon d'Or winner scored a penalty and set up one of Julian Alvarez's two goals in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Croatia.

The fact he has never won a World Cup - unlike compatriot Diego Maradona or Brazil's Pele - has sometimes counted against him in debates about the best of all time, but he has a chance to remedy that in Sunday's final against France or Morocco.

This was Messi's 1,002nd game of senior football, his 791st goal and 340th assist. He won 35 trophies with Barcelona, last season's French title with Paris St-Germain and the 2021 Copa America with Argentina.