The Argentine National Team has started to gather again in Ezeiza to face the friendlies of the FIFA date in September, but this call-up is marked by a particularity: it will be the last of Lionel Messi with the albiceleste jersey. In this context, Alexis Mac Allister spoke with the press upon his arrival in the country and referred both to the departure of the captain and to another central issue: the continuity of Lionel Scaloni.
First, the Liverpool midfielder was asked about the retirement of the number 10, who will have his last match in front of the Argentine public against Benin next Tuesday, October 6 at the Estadio Monumental. Referring to the Rosario star, Mac Allister stated: "There will be no one like him and well, we enjoyed a lot by his side. Thank him for everything he made us win as well, so it will surely be a very emotional day", he said.
Looking ahead to the post-Messi era, the player acknowledged that Argentina will have to adapt to a completely different reality. "Without a doubt, it will be a different process, with kids who will surely join. And well, start to understand that we no longer have the best player in the world and the player who made the difference. And we have to become strong as a team, I think that will be the most important thing", he explained.
El Colo also mentioned that he learned about La Pulga's decision through his statement published on social media. "I found out in that statement too, so it was a bit of a surprise. Obviously, the years go by and it was seen that at some point it could happen. Obviously a huge surprise and well, as I just said, now is the time to show our gratitude to him", he recounted.
For the midfielder, the national team will have to compensate collectively for the absence of the player who marked the difference for years. "He is the best player in the world, the player who made the difference for us. So now he will no longer be with us, which makes us sad. But well, it's that process of understanding that we have to give even more and that we have to become strong as a team. So hopefully it will turn out in the best way", he affirmed.
