Rangnick says Argentina has no weaknesses for Austria

Rangnick says – Austria coach Ralf Rangnick told reporters that he found no weaknesses in Lionel Messi’s Argentina team ahead of their World Cup Group J matchup, even as he warned Austria must be ready for Messi’s evolving role after he scored a hat trick in a 3-0 opening win

ARLINGTON, TX — Austria coach Ralf Rangnick arrived at Sunday’s news conference with a blunt message for his team.

After studying Argentina closely, the veteran manager said he couldn’t identify a single weakness.

“Let’s talk about the weaknesses first because there are none, nothing that we were able to observe,” Rangnick said through a translator at a news conference Sunday, June 21. “And their strengths? They’re outstanding individual players, they can also play with two or three different types of teams.”

Argentina arrive with Lionel Messi among their top stars, and they won the 2022 World Cup. Rangnick said he sees a squad that can play both in set patterns and in more varied ways during matches. He pointed to how the team likes to play in position, while also being capable of playing vertically.

“They have one of the best players among them. They like to play in position and they do not only play in position because they can also play vertically, they’re very good at long-range shots. We’ve prepared accordingly,” he said.

Even with that confidence, Rangnick insisted Austria still has a path—rooted in the possibility of an upset and the unpredictable nature of a ball game.

“If you look at the algorithm, it probably says we won’t win tomorrow’s match,” the manager noted. “Tomorrow we’ll play against all odds. Against all odds means that we might cause some surprise tomorrow. It might be a draw or even a victory for us.”

Rangnick said the key is that Austria has its own strategy, its own style, and the mental grit to decide the match on its own terms.

“Everything is possible because we’re talking about a ball sport, and a team sport. We have our own strategy. our own style. we have grit and courage and can decide the match in our favor. This is what is going to make or break you. I know Argentina plays at a distinguished level. What’s going to be important is what level we’re going to play at.”.

While Rangnick said he found no weakness in the team overall, he did concede that Messi’s game has changed as he has aged. That adjustment, he argued, may not reduce the threat—it may simply reshape where it comes from.

“Lionel Messi maybe doesn’t put in the same legwork as in the past. He likes to stay on the sides and sometimes likes to stop in front of the goal. offside. ” the coach said. “That doesn’t mean they have one man less, but they have one man less that works in counter-pressing. But that makes him so dangerous because he might be free in a position and we need to be prepared for that.”.

Rangnick also emphasized the importance of limiting transition moments that could create space for Messi.

“We shouldn’t have too many transition moments or allow transition moments and allow him to be free to accept the ball.”

On Austria’s side, midfielder Marcel Sabitzer—speaking on the eve of his 100th cap with Austria—projected the same blend of caution and belief. He said the team is “in it to win it,” even while acknowledging the challenge they face.

Sabitzer said Austria is facing an “amazing opponent with an amazing player.”

The tension in Rangnick’s briefing was clear: he believes Argentina’s strengths are so established that Austria can’t expect to find an exploitable crack. But he also framed the matchup as a test of discipline—especially in the moments when a game can tilt through transitions. positioning. and the freedom that comes with space.

Messi’s threat is already established in this tournament. The source describes Messi delivering a vintage performance in his 2026 World Cup debut, scoring a hat trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria to open the tournament.

Rangnick’s message to Austria, for Group J, comes down to preparation and execution. If Austria can limit Messi’s strengths. it might be able to pull off the type of upset the coach reminded fans is possible. Otherwise. it could be another day for Argentina—showing. in his words. that even what might look like “weak points” are still strong.

Ralf Rangnick Austria Argentina Lionel Messi World Cup 2026 Group J Marcel Sabitzer Algeria hat trick 3-0 win