The day no football fan ever wanted to see has finally arrived. Weekend after weekend, for more than two decades, we got to enjoy one of the greatest players of all time. We didn’t care whether he was wearing the Barcelona shirt, the Inter Miami jersey in the twilight of his career, or the Argentina national team colors at every international break, World Cup qualifier, Copa América and World Cup.
It is a strange feeling, one that perhaps we never expected to experience so soon. But this is when you realize that time really does fly, that we all grow older, and that even our idols eventually have to say goodbye. Real-life superheroes age, and at some point, they have to make room for the next generation.
Argentina’s New Chapter
That is the case for Argentina and Lionel Messi. This Friday, La Albiceleste will play its first match without the legendary No. 10, marking the beginning of a new chapter after the superstar’s emotional farewell on October 6. More than a month has passed since that special goodbye, giving us some time to prepare for what life without Messi will look like for the reigning world champions.
It hurts to write a story like this. Players such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández have defined an era. Go further back and you have Ronaldo Nazário, Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Pelé. Some of us were lucky enough to watch them live, others discovered them through YouTube, while younger generations only know them through the stories told by their parents and grandparents.
And then, one day, you realize that you might be that parent telling your children about Lionel Messi. You will be the one explaining what it was like to watch him play, the goals, the trophies, the impossible dribbles and the moments that made millions fall in love with football.
Argentina now has to learn how to move forward without him. Julián Álvarez, Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández are among the players expected to lead this new generation.
With the No. 10 shirt still up for grabs, a new captain yet to be determined and Lionel Scaloni close to confirming his future with the national team, Argentina faces Uruguay in a clásico that will offer an early glimpse of the post-Messi era. It will be an opportunity to evaluate the established stars while giving those fighting for a place in the team a chance to make their case.
Who will score for Argentina?
Replacing Messi’s goals is an almost impossible task. However, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez will be the main candidates to shoulder that responsibility, with the Atlético Madrid forward expected to become one of the central figures of Argentina’s attack moving forward.
Álvarez could be one of the faces of this new project as Argentina begins its journey toward the 2030 World Cup. Lautaro, meanwhile, remains a fundamental player for Scaloni, providing the connection between building attacks and finishing them.
In fact, excluding Messi, Lautaro is the top scorer of the Scaloni era with 32 goals.That makes him one of the most important pieces in Argentina’s plans for the future.
Who will provide the creativity and assists?
Who will deliver the key passes and assists that Messi used to produce? Alexis Mac Allister and Nico Paz could take on much of that responsibility.
Both are versatile attacking players who enjoy getting forward, finding spaces between the lines and creating opportunities for their teammates. They will be expected to supply Lautaro and Julián Álvarez with the service they need to keep Argentina’s attack dangerous.
Enzo Fernández will lead the midfield
The responsibility of organizing Argentina’s attacking play will fall largely on Enzo Fernández, who will be joined by Mac Allister and Exequiel Palacios in midfield, while Nico Paz could also play an important role in the team’s creative structure.
Ball recoveries, transitions into attack and controlling the rhythm of the game will all be crucial. Argentina will need its midfielders to take on greater responsibility if they are going to compensate for the absence of a player who could change a match almost single-handedly.
Who will take Argentina’s set pieces?
Julián Álvarez could become one of Argentina’s main options for dead-ball situations. He regularly takes free kicks for Atlético Madrid and is also capable of handling penalty duties.
This might be one of the areas where Argentina feels Messi’s absence a little less, although replacing the quality and consistency of his left foot will still be a considerable challenge.
Who will provide the individual brilliance?
This is perhaps where Argentina could miss Messi the most.
Gianluca Prestianni and Franco Mastantuono are among the young players expected to provide the individual spark. Both enjoy taking defenders on, demanding the ball and operating out wide, but they are also capable of cutting inside and creating danger.
They are still at relatively early stages of their careers and have plenty of room to grow. If they reach their full potential, they could gradually help fill some of the enormous void left by Messi. But that is a process, and nobody should expect either player to become the next version of the Argentine legend overnight.
Argentina’s possible starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Gerónimo Rulli
- Defenders: Agustín Giay, Leonardo Balerdi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico
- Midfielders: Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios
- Forwards: Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez
Uruguay’s possible starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Cristopher Fiermarin
- Defenders: Nahitan Nández, Ronald Araújo, José María Giménez, Mathías Olivera
- Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta
- Forwards: Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araújo, Darwin Núñez
The Messi era is over, at least in terms of what we will see on the pitch with Argentina. The memories, however, will remain forever.
Now comes the difficult part: learning to watch Argentina without its greatest-ever No. 10. And perhaps, years from now, telling the next generation what it felt like to witness Lionel Messi’s magic.
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Alejandro Orellana is an accomplished sports journalist based in Mexico City, known for his incisive coverage of Club América and the Mexican National Team. A graduate of Journalism from Escuela de Periodismo Carlos Septien García, Alejandro brings a deep understanding of sports media to his work. His expertise extends to SEO and content creation, allowing him to produce engaging and discoverable sports narratives. He has contributed as a freelance writer for Goal.com, where he notably conducted interviews with MLS players, further showcasing his comprehensive interviewing skills. Prior to this, Alejandro dedicated five years to ESPN’s production department, contributing to renowned shows including SportsCenter, Futbol Picante, and NFL Live. His insightful articles can be found on platforms such as Deportrece and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with Alejandro on @soyalexorellana and Tik Tok to stay updated with his latest work. His commitment to journalistic integrity ensures every piece offers valuable and trustworthy insights for sports enthusiasts.
