Milei Hails Scaloni and Calls Himself a “Mad Fan” of Messi

Argentine President Javier Milei took a moment during a political interview on Monday night to share his passion for football, offering glowing praise for national team coach Lionel Scaloni and superstar Lionel Messi.

Speaking with host Alejandro Fantino on Neura, Milei declared himself a fervent supporter of Scaloni and his coaching staff. “That guy is like Gardel, he stood tall through everything they threw at him,” Milei said, referencing the early skepticism around Scaloni’s appointment. “I can’t identify with him—he’s infinitely better than me. I could never make people celebrate like he did after winning the World Cup.”

The President then turned his attention to Messi, calling himself a “mad fan” of the Argentine icon. He recalled defending the player during times of heavy criticism from local media. “When all the local press trashed him, I said Messi was the best player of all time. He’s superlative. I’ve never seen anyone play like that,” Milei declared.

Earlier this year, Milei received a signed Inter Miami jersey from club owner Jorge Mas, which he proudly described as “signed by the greatest of all time.”

Milei also reminisced about his brief stint as a goalkeeper in his youth, earning the nickname “El Loco del Arco” during his time with Chacarita and San Lorenzo before leaving football to pursue academics.