Pochettino's Dual Loyalty: Supporting USA and Argentina at World Cup
Mauricio Pochettino will patrol the U.S. Men’s National Team touchline at this summer’s World Cup, but his heart is being pulled in two directions – by his homeland and by the most famous player he ever coached.
On the eve of the USMNT’s second Group D game against Australia in Seattle, the 54-year-old sat in front of reporters at Lumen Field and tried to explain a split that every Argentine abroad understands.
“I am Argentinian, and I really enjoy the performance of Argentina, but I'm going to give my life for the USA,” he said. No smile. No joke. Just a statement of intent.
Messi, a World Cup and a family worry
Argentina’s title defense has already been shaped by Lionel Messi’s brilliance and by a private battle playing out far from the pitch.
Messi’s emotional reaction to his hat-trick in the 3-0 opening win over Algeria sparked a wave of speculation about his father Jorge’s health. Cameras caught the tears. Social media did the rest. Rumors spread quickly, and carelessly.
On Thursday, the Messi family broke their silence with a statement, condemning the noise around what they called “a strictly private and family situation.”
“The Messi family informs that Jorge is going through a health situation. At this time, he is under medical monitoring, recovering and evolving favorably within the condition he is presenting,” they said, while stressing that only “closest family members have real and accurate information” about his condition.
They urged “responsibility, prudence, and humanity,” and asked that Jorge’s privacy and that of the entire family be respected, promising that any relevant updates would come directly from them.
The words were measured, but the frustration was clear: a family trying to manage a serious issue, while the world picks apart every gesture from their most famous son.
Pochettino’s message to Messi
Pochettino knows that world well. He coached Messi at Paris Saint-Germain and built a relationship with the forward and his family during their time together in France. So when he was asked about the situation, his answer came quickly.
“I think the most important thing is being genuine and honest,” he said. “I think it was amazing to see him. I want to send all my support because it's a difficult situation, family situation. I want to give my support. I know him from Paris and his family. I want to show and send my best wishes for his family.”
Then came the football man talking about the footballer.
“I think it's difficult to describe Messi. Six World Cups, all that he achieved in his career, in different clubs, collectively and individually. He's the best. For sure, yes.”
No caveats. No comparisons. Just a coach who has seen the game at the highest level, calling it as he sees it.
Torn loyalties, clear priorities
Argentina arrive at this tournament as defending champions and as a complete, fully formed side. Pochettino knows exactly what that looks like up close.
“Yes, Argentina is an amazing team. They won the World Cup four years ago. Now, every single player is a world champion,” he said. “The coach, Lionel, is for me the best coach today in this World Cup. The coaching staff, the staff that I know very well. The fans, amazing. And then with their cherry [on top] with Messi. It's a difficult combination to play against.”
There it is: a stacked squad, a settled coach in Lionel Scaloni, a fanbase that travels in waves, and Messi as the final flourish. The benchmark for everyone else. Including the team Pochettino now leads.
Because while he speaks with obvious pride about Argentina, his professional allegiance is not in doubt.
“But now I am Argentinian, but I am defending the USA,” he said. “And I'm going to give everything that I have, we have, to make great memories here.”
That is the tightrope he will walk for as long as this World Cup lasts: willing Argentina on from afar, sending quiet support to Messi and his family, while throwing everything into a U.S. team trying to carve out its own story on home soil.
At some point, those two paths may collide. And if they do, there will be no room for sentiment.
