Dhaka, Sept. 10 -- Argentina Manager Lionel Scaloni said on Monday that he did not know if Lionel Messi would be a part of the Albiceleste squad that will seek to defend its FIFA World Cup crown next year.

The 38-year-old Argentina captain has not yet committed to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, having hinted in recent interviews that he could retire beforehand.

"I haven't spoken with Messi about the next World Cup. Whatever he decides is fine," Scaloni told a news conference ahead of his team's final World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in Guayaquil on Tuesday.

He added that there could still be openings for new players in Argentina's World Cup squad, but admitted the core would remain the same.

"We're still a ...