“When he’s on the pitch, we know how the team plays” - Scaloni explains how Argentina have become stronger even without Lionel Messi

Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni praised his players for stepping up on the pitch in the absence of Lionel Messi. He claimed their style and tactics remain the same even without the Inter Miami captain, and his teammates have adapted to it.

Speaking to Flash Score, Scaloni stated that his Argentina players were the best in the country and consistently demonstrated their worth on the pitch. He believes that this is one of the key reasons they have not suffered when Messi sits out. He said:

"Well, in the end, when he is on the pitch, we know how the team plays, but also the team has interpreted that when he is not on the pitch, our line of play has to be the same. Fortunately, we have players who make his absence less, and that's what's important. Without players it's difficult, and that's what this national team has, to be able to choose from among the best and have a huge group of players.”

Scaloni commented on Messi's hint that he was set to play in a World Cup qualifier for the final time in his career and said:

"Yes, well, in principle, let's enjoy him now, let's enjoy him as much as possible, as many games as he can play, and we'll see in the future. It's obvious that at some point he won't be here and the Argentine national team will always continue, but the moment he decides not to come, the loss will be enormous, not only for Argentine football, but for the world of football, which wants to see him on the pitch. In the end, whoever likes football likes him to be there, so for now let's enjoy it."

Lionel Scaloni has managed 85 matches for the national team, with Lionel Messi missing 20 of those games. Rodrigo De Paul remains the player with the most appearances under the manager at 77, while Leandro Paedes comes second with 68.

No heir for Lionel Messi, claims Lionel Scaloni

Lionel Scaloni was asked by Flash Score to name Lionel Messi's heir in the Argentina national team. The tactician claimed no player in world football could fill the attacker's boots. He said:

"No, there can't be. There won't be. There won't be an heir to Messi, for sure. There may be great players who marked the era, but what he has done in such a long time, I think it will be unrepeatable. Football has a lot of unthinkable things, but in this, I could almost assure you that it will be impossible to see anything else like it. At least from what I saw, I think Leo is unmatched."

Lionel Messi has played 65 matches under Lionel Scaloni with the national team. He has scored 47 goals and assisted 19 times, while winning the Copa America twice and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.