Lionel Messi once contemplated international retirement due to the immense pressure of winning a trophy for Argentina. However, under manager Lionel Scaloni, appointed after the 2018 World Cup, Messi transformed from a player burdened by expectation to the team's central star. Scaloni's tactical approach has been pivotal in revitalizing Messi's goal-scoring prowess, particularly in World Cups.

Before Scaloni, Messi was often tasked with being Argentina's primary creator, a role that showcased his individual brilliance but ultimately led to exhaustion and tactical limitations, as seen in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. His goal tally in World Cups prior to Scaloni was significantly lower than his output since.

Scaloni's system, implemented from 2019 onwards, focuses on creating a supportive environment and a team structure that alleviates pressure on Messi. Argentina now boasts players like Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister who excel at progressive passing, enabling intricate attacking plays. This allows Messi to find space closer to the box, leveraging his legendary finishing ability. At 39 years old, Messi has scored 15 goals in the World Cups under Scaloni, a stark contrast to his earlier tournaments, demonstrating how the manager unlocked his full potential.

Argentina's current tactical flexibility, including dynamic midfield rotations and precise passing through defensive lines, consistently creates opportunities for Messi to exploit. This collaborative approach, combined with Messi's enduring skill, has made him the World Cup's most potent scorer in recent tournaments.