The striking figure is Messi’s distance covered. The report says he is averaging 8.1 kilometres per 90 minutes, placing him last among 618 players at the tournament.
That ranking reflects a deliberate role rather than a lack of importance. Argentina appear willing to accept less defensive running from their captain so he can conserve energy for possession, creation and finishing. His movements are shorter, but his involvement remains concentrated in the areas where matches are decided.
Lionel Scaloni’s structure reportedly gives Messi greater freedom from pressing and defensive cover. That responsibility falls to the rest of the team, allowing the forward to remain closer to the attacking action instead of spending long periods chasing the ball.
Argentina used a similar formula during their 2022 triumph, when Rodrigo De Paul frequently provided protection around Messi. The principle remains straightforward: teammates absorb the running, while Messi supplies the moments that cannot be replaced.
The reported figures reinforce the logic. Messi may contribute less in volume than many opponents, but his scoring output has kept him central to Argentina’s route through the tournament.
The challenge will intensify when opponents focus on denying Messi’s preferred spaces and forcing Argentina into longer defensive spells. A lower running load can preserve his sharpness, but it also places greater demands on the players covering behind him.
Argentina’s next knockout fixture will test whether this balance survives under pressure. If Scaloni’s team can keep Messi fresh and involved near goal, the numbers indicate that reduced workload may remain a strength rather than a weakness.