Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has stated that Lionel Messi is no longer an indispensable figure in the national team’s current setup.
Messi, who has netted 112 goals in 192 appearances for La Albiceleste, has been instrumental in Argentina’s major triumphs—including the FIFA World Cup and two Copa America titles.
However, as the legendary forward approaches his 38th birthday on June 24, Scaloni appears to be charting a future for the squad that does not heavily rely on their long-time talisman.
“The team is now at a point where it can perform the same way with or without Leo, which was more difficult in the past when we had to adjust certain players to accommodate him,” Scaloni explained. “Now, we no longer have that necessity and the team functions the same way, which is a positive development.”
In recent qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina managed victories over Uruguay and Brazil, even in Messi’s absence—further reinforcing Scaloni’s belief in the team’s evolution beyond the Messi era.
