Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is confident there is a bright future beyond Lionel Messi, as the team's most influential player of the last two decades prepares to bid farewell, while acknowledging the match will be filled with nostalgia for all those involved. The 39-year-old superstar will play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday -- a friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires -- marking a pivotal moment in the country's footballing history.
Messi leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, including the 2022 World Cup title, two more World Cup finals (2014, 2026), two Copa América trophies (2021, 2024), an Olympic gold medal (2008) and 125 goals across 208 senior appearances, which are both records for the national team. He is also the first man to start three World Cup finals.
"Messi leaves behind something unequaled," Scaloni said. "We have to keep playing, but the feeling of having him on the pitch is unique. I've never seen anyone else convey what he does on a football field, and that is what we're going to miss." However, Scaloni, who is in advanced negotiations to renew his contract for another four years, looks beyond Messi with optimism: "The Argentine national team will endure. We will remain at a high level, I have no doubt about that."
In the first two post-World Cup matches without Messi, Argentina dazzled with resounding victories against Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0. Alongside established stars, an exciting wave of new talent emerged. Argentina's first major tournament without Messi will come in 2028 at the Copa América.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing