Argentina face testing transition after Messi's international retirement
Argentina face a challenging period of transition following Lionel Messi's retirement from international football, with question marks also hanging over the futures of head coach Lionel Scaloni and several of the squad's more senior players.
Messi hung up the famous number 10 shirt on Monday, September 1, after 21 years of carrying his country's hopes, a burden that weighed heavily in the early years before a golden late career stretch in which Argentina won three major titles, including the 2022 World Cup.
His final competitive appearance came in the 1-0 defeat to Spain in July's World Cup final. Of the 17 players who featured for Scaloni's side that night, only two will still be under 30 when the next World Cup begins in South America in 2030.
Veteran centre back Nicolas Otamendi, 38, had already retired from international duty following the defeat to Spain, a match in which Argentina were comprehensively outpaced by a younger, sharper opponent.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has since hinted he could follow suit, as has midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is currently serving a 10 match FIFA ban for his conduct after the final whistle in New Jersey.
Paredes admitted the squad's dynamic could shift significantly without its captain.
"If he isn't there, it will be hard for everything to keep working the way it used to," he told Argentine broadcaster TN.
Rodrigo De Paul's own international future has also been closely tied to speculation surrounding his Inter Miami teammate.
The most pressing uncertainty, however, surrounds Scaloni himself, the man who has overseen Argentina's most successful era since the days of Diego Maradona. Appointed in 2018, the 48 year old ended a 28 year wait for silverware by winning the 2021 Copa America, with his side affectionately known at home as the Scaloneta.
Scaloni's current contract runs out in December. Reports suggested he had already agreed an extension through to 2030 before the World Cup, but the coach cast doubt over his own future in the aftermath of the final defeat.
"I already have an idea of what I want to do. 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," he said.
The next World Cup will be staged largely across Spain, Portugal and Morocco, though Argentina will host one match as part of South America's contribution, securing automatic qualification in the process.
Before that, attention turns to the 2028 Copa America, where Argentina will target a third consecutive title.
Despite the loss of their captain, plenty of familiar faces remain. Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero have established themselves as the first choice central defensive pairing, while Enzo Fernandez, who completed a British transfer record equalling move from Chelsea to Manchester City on Monday, continues to anchor midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister.
Messi's absence up front could also open opportunities for Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, the latter expected to significantly improve on his current return of 15 goals in 59 caps for the national team.
Messi himself remains optimistic about what comes next for the country he represented. "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 upon announcing his retirement.
Among those emerging talents is Como's Nico Paz, who made two World Cup appearances and could push for a regular starting role, alongside 23 year old Giuliano Simeone, son of former Argentina stalwart Diego Simeone, who impressed off the bench in the semi final win over England.
Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono, though absent from the World Cup squad, has already earned four caps at just 19 years old.
Argentina's next generation showed further promise at last year's Under 20 World Cup in Chile, reaching the final for the first time since 2007 before ultimately losing to Morocco.
There are currently no fixtures scheduled for this month's international window, though the Argentine Football Association is reportedly planning a farewell match for Messi, the country's all time leading scorer and most capped player with 125 goals in 207 appearances.