Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has admitted that “nothing will be the same” for La Albiceleste once Lionel Messi leaves finally international football, with the coach describing the legendary captain’s presence on the pitch as something no other player can reproduce.
Scaloni’s comments come ahead of Argentina’s meeting with Benin on October 6, a fixture that will serve as a testimonial for Messi following his decision to retire from international football in August.
Messi announced his retirement exactly one month after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain, bringing an end to an extraordinary two-decade international career that delivered the country’s long-awaited third World Cup triumph and two Copa América titles.
The October 6 fixture is therefore expected to carry a significance far beyond the result, as Argentina prepares to celebrate the player who has become the nation’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker. “Nothing will be the same without Leo Messi. I’ve never seen anyone else transmit the feeling that Leo does. That’s what we’re going to miss the most,” Scaloni said.
The Argentina coach acknowledged that the eventual absence of Messi has been discussed for years, but admitted that the reality of playing without him will be considerably different. “We’ve always talked about how much we would miss him when he was no longer here, and now the time has come when he won’t be with us anymore,” he added.
Argentina’s latest outing, a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso, provided another reminder of the strength available to Scaloni, although the match came amid significant disruption for the Stallions, who were affected by flight problems and several withdrawals from their senior squad.
With a number of experienced players unavailable, Burkina Faso called upon several Under-23 players, leaving Argentina facing a significantly weakened opponent.
Messi’s final Argentina chapter
For Scaloni, however, the focus is now on ensuring that Messi’s farewell receives the recognition it deserves.
“I imagine it will be very emotional for everyone, without exception. From the moment Leo steps onto the pitch at the Monumental, he and the fans will experience a day that nobody will ever forget.”
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head coach
The coach believes the occasion will belong not only to Messi but also to the teammates who shared the most successful period in Argentine football history with him.
“I’m grateful to be part of that day because it will be his day, and also the day of the teammates who shared the greatest footballing joy with him. They deserve it too,” he said.
Scaloni, who has overseen Argentina through the Copa América and World Cup successes of the Messi era, said he intends to experience the occasion alongside everyone else. “As for me, I’ll simply be a spectator. I’ll sit there and take it all in, but I’m grateful that I’ll be able to experience this day,” he added.
Messi remains with the squad for the final stages of his international career, allowing Scaloni and his players one more opportunity to share the pitch with a player whose influence extends far beyond his statistics.
“He’s still here with us. We have two training sessions with him, and we’ll continue seeing him and enjoying his presence during this little time we have left.”
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head coach
The Argentina coach believes that what will be hardest to replace is not Messi’s goals or assists, but the unique feeling he creates whenever he steps onto a football pitch. “But the feeling of having him on the pitch is something unique,” Scaloni said.
Scaloni insists that his assessment is based on experience, having played alongside and coached some of the game’s greatest talents.
“Like I’ve said, I’ve known great players, played alongside great players and faced great players, but I’ve never seen anyone else transmit that kind of feeling,” he said.
The October 6 meeting with Benin will consequently mark more than the end of another international window. It will represent a celebration of Messi’s extraordinary contribution to Argentina and a symbolic farewell to the player who led the country to the 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles and countless individual records.
For Argentina, the challenge after Messi will not simply be finding another goalscorer or playmaker. As Scaloni’s words underline, the country will be attempting to replace a presence he considers completely unique.
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