Argentina are entering a challenging period of transition following Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football, with uncertainty also surrounding coach Lionel Scaloni and several experienced members of the squad.
Messi officially vacated Argentina’s iconic number 10 shirt on Monday, bringing an end to a 21-year international career in which he carried the expectations of an entire nation.
The weight of those expectations proved difficult early in his career, but Messi eventually helped usher in a remarkable golden period for Argentina. The South American giants won three major international trophies, including the 2022 World Cup.
The 39-year-old made his final competitive appearance for Argentina in July, when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
Of the 17 players used by Scaloni in that final, only two will be below the age of 30 when the next World Cup begins in South America in 2030.
Veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, 38, has already ended his international career following the defeat in New Jersey, where Argentina were outplayed by a younger and more energetic Spanish side.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has hinted that he could also step away, while 32-year-old midfielder Leandro Paredes is another player whose international future is uncertain. Paredes was handed a 10-match FIFA suspension after confronting Spanish players following the final.
“If he (Messi) isn’t there, it will be hard for everything to keep working the way it used to,” Paredes told Argentinian TV channel TN.
Rodrigo De Paul’s future with the national team has also been closely linked to that of his Inter Miami teammate Messi.
Scaloni’s Future Uncertain
Perhaps the biggest uncertainty facing Argentina concerns the future of Scaloni, who has guided the Albiceleste through their most successful period since the era of Diego Maradona.
The 48-year-old coach, whose team has become known domestically as the “Scaloneta”, took charge in 2018 and ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major international trophy when they won the Copa America in 2021.
Scaloni’s current contract is due to expire in December.
Reports had indicated that he had agreed to extend his contract through 2030 before the World Cup. However, the coach raised doubts about his future following Argentina’s disappointing performance in the final.
“I already have an idea of what I want to do,” Scaloni said after the loss.
“I’m going to honour my contract, and then we’ll see. I need to think, because I don’t know if it’s possible to achieve something as great as this.”
The 2030 World Cup will primarily be staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while Argentina will join two other South American countries in hosting one match and will therefore receive automatic qualification.
Before then, Argentina will target a third successive Copa America title in 2028.
Argentina Still Have Strong Core
Despite Messi’s departure, Argentina are expected to remain among the leading contenders for major honours, with a number of established stars likely to continue with the national team.
Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero have become the preferred central defensive pairing.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez, who completed a move from Chelsea to Manchester City on Monday for a fee matching the British transfer record, and Alexis Mac Allister have established themselves as key figures.
Messi’s absence could also create greater opportunities in attack for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez, in particular, will be expected to increase his attacking output after scoring 15 goals in 59 international appearances.
‘Great Young Players’ Offer Hope
Messi himself believes Argentina have enough emerging talent to remain competitive in the years ahead.
“I’ve given it my all. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” he said when announcing his retirement.
Como youngster Nico Paz is among the players tipped to play a larger role after making two World Cup appearances. The 23-year-old Giuliano Simeone, son of former Argentina international Diego Simeone, also caught the eye after coming off the bench during the semi-final victory over England.
Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono, meanwhile, was not selected for the World Cup but has already earned four senior international caps at just 19.
Argentina’s youth teams have also provided reason for optimism. Their Under-20 side impressed at last year’s World Cup in Chile, reaching the final for the first time since 2007 before losing to Morocco.
Argentina currently have no matches scheduled during the international break later this month. However, the Argentine Football Association is reportedly considering a possible farewell game for Messi, the nation’s all-time leading scorer and appearance holder with 125 goals in 207 matches.
Messi’s departure leaves an enormous void in Argentine football, but the country’s emerging generation will now have the opportunity to build the next chapter of the national team’s story.
