Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says there cannot be an heir to Lionel Messi as he prepares for life without the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner after the 2026 World Cup.
It is widely expected that Messi will retire from international football following the World Cup.
Messi has led Argentina to glory in the last two editions of the Copa America and at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
And Scaloni believes that fans should treasure the superstar while he is still playing.
“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,” Scaloni told Flashscore.
“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.”
The 38-year-old has showed no signs of slowing down for Inter Miami this season, scoring 27 goals and registering 11 assists in 34 appearances for the MLS side.
Asked whether there is an heir to Messi in Argentine football, Scaloni 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 had 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.”
La Albiceleste have already finished top of South American qualifying, sitting on 35 points from 16 matches, 10 points above Ecuador and Brazil.
Argentina will face host Venezuela in Buenos Aires on Thursday, before travelling to Ecuador for the final game of their qualification campaign.
Davichi
76
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini is one of a kind. The ONLY footballer to win 8 Ballon d'ORs The ONLY footballer to win 2 WC Golden Balls The footballer with the MOST career G/A contribution Lionel Messi... the undisputed GOAT!!!
GaddafiJamal
28
Same Thing Was Said About Di Stefano During His Time, Then Pele (Nobody Can Reach His Goals), Then Maradona & Now Messi? The Thing Is More Generations Are Yet To Come & Someone Will Definitely Come But Maybe This Generation Won’t Be Alive To Witness Him, But There Is & There Always Will Be Someone 🙏💯
Maubcptuyz
10
Time has come,almost 30years now,Messi has been our light 💡 and hope for football/soccer thank you captain
Sovoty
8
Listen fellas. Scolani is spot on. Many great players have come and gone, and are still coming. Some of them are even available right now (talk of the Mbappes, Yamals, Haalands....you name it). A player like Messi may come, but not any time soon. Impossible to imagine. Only if the football "gods" decide so, otherwise forget. Messi is so unique it's impossible to imagine a player like him again. I mean, b4 Messi, MENTION one single player that was good at assisting, dribbling, scoring, free kicks, and won/dominated individual and collect trophies. Ronaldo won 2 WCs for Brazil but he never won UCL. Zidane, Dinho, Cruffy...you name it, they either won WCs, UCLs, Ballon d'ors but not all of them, or not winning the most than anybody else. You guys don't see how crazy it is that Messi has won the Most individual awards, the most collective trophies than anybody else in football history. Then he has either most assists and goals, or 2nd most in history. Messi has won every important trophy and award in football, and doing so in a dominating manner. Let's talk abt CR7 a bit, he has most football goals. What else? NOTHING. Even the goals he has, Messi in 2nd place is just like less than 100 goals. Ronaldo doesn't have a WC. Ronaldo didn't dominate either NL or Euro that he won. In fact he didn't even play Euro final. Messi was best player in WC and Copa, and the UCLs, and La Ligas. Did I also mention that he has most golden shoes/boot than anybody else? No guys, you won't see a Messi anytime soon.
vuaabdipu
8
He is right But there will be team spirit team play team chemistry team harmony, and that's as important as Leo Messi