With the iconic No. Facing the immense challenge of replacing Messi, the coach remained pragmatic: “We’ll find a way to play differently. From there, we’ll see how we adapt.”
10 jersey unassigned, Argentina will face its first test of the post-Lionel Messi era when it hosts Bolivia in a friendly on Wednesday. As the 39-year-old legend gets set for his farewell match for Argentina next week, coach Lionel Scaloni is already looking toward the future.
“That’s what these matches are for – to experiment,” Scaloni said Tuesday ahead of the game against Bolivia at the Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. “That said, our core style still revolves around controlling the ball.
Scaloni stopped short of confirming the starting lineup, but Argentina is expected to field most of the players who featured in the World Cup final against Spain. Anticipated changes include Agustin Giay starting at right-back, Exequiel Palacios replacing the suspended Enzo Fernandez (following his red card in the final), and Valentin Barco slotting in as a third midfielder. Nicolas Paz, currently playing for Italy’s Como, will take on the playmaking duties in Messi’s absence. “The idea is for someone to eventually take it on, given how special it is to wear. We just haven’t decided who yet.”
“We aren’t obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won’t give it to anyone until Leo’s farewell game,” the coach said.
Scaloni confirmed at Tuesday’s press conference that no player will wear No. Messi announced the end of his international career in late August. In his final World Cup, the sixth of his career, he played eight matches and scored eight goals. “I had to step back, re-evaluate, and look closely at the sporting side alongside the financial aspects. I needed to analyze what lies ahead. In the end, we’re excited about the future, and that shared enthusiasm paved the way toward an agreement.”
10 for now, Messi’s jersey number when he lifted the 2022 World Cup trophy and throughout most of his 207 appearances for Argentina. He concludes his national team career as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, 21 of which came in World Cup tournaments.
“The important thing is that the desire is there,” the coach said.
