The Argentine National Team is going through a transitional phase after the 2026 World Cup and, before returning to the field against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin, Lionel Scaloni addressed questions about the team's future. The coach acknowledged that he has already started discussions to extend his contract, although there is still no agreement, and reviewed many of the challenges that the national team will face ahead.
His Continuity
Renewal was one of the main topics of the conference. Scaloni explained that the discussions have just begun and that there is still a way to go to reach an agreement. "We were also talking to see if we could move forward, to reach an agreement. The intention is there from both sides. And we just started talking", he stated. Additionally, the coach emphasized that there is no imminent announcement, although he made his position clear: "The important thing is that there is a desire".
On the other hand, he explained that one of the central factors in deciding his continuity depends on the sporting possibilities of the project. "Analyzing what we have left, what is coming. And we are excited about that. And that is the most important thing and what has decided me", he maintained.
In that sense, he was emphatic in explaining what would have happened if he had not found a scenario to continue competing at the highest level: "Otherwise, to be honest, if I didn't see the possibility of being able to compete and build something nice like we did, I wouldn't have opened the chance to sit down and talk".
For now, he also did not confirm when his future will be officially known. "I don't see the timing as it is right now, but well, it will depend a lot on reaching an agreement", he noted.
A Team Without Messi and the New Holder of the Number 10
The absence of Lionel Messi in these matches and those to come after his official farewell from the National Team against Benin raised another major question of the conference. The Santa Fe coach acknowledged the weight of the captain but also highlighted that the team has already shown it can respond when he is not present. "Any team in the world that has a player like him, becomes indispensable and in our case, it is so, but luckily in the matches he has not been, the team has responded", he analyzed.
The idea for this stage will be to take advantage of the friendlies to explore different tactical variations. "We will also look for ways to play differently, why not? That’s what these matches are for, to try", he explained. Among the possibilities, he mentioned playing "with two forwards, with three forwards, with three center-backs, with different things that can be useful for the future". Nevertheless, he made it clear what identity he intends to maintain for the team: "Our football goes through the ball, through gathering people who play well".
Regarding the Rosario star, the native of Pujato also referred to the number 10 jersey. "Until it is Leo's match, we will not give it to anyone. And then we will know from that match to whom we will give it", he clarified. According to him, it is still not defined who will wear that number in the future: "The idea is for it to be kept by someone who appreciates how beautiful it is to wear it. For now, we have not decided".
The Leadership That Messi Will Leave
The succession of Messi will not be limited to a footballing issue. Scaloni was also asked about how to replace the leadership that the captain exercised for so many years. "It is undeniable that, first of all, beyond the player, I have always said what he generated inside and outside the field, I have not seen that in anyone else. Imagine how difficult it will be, there is no such thing, the feeling he generates", he affirmed.
For the coach, the answer must come from the group and not from the emergence of a single reference. "We are not looking for a leader, we are not looking for a teammate to be afraid of, we are looking for positive people, good people, and we believe there are such people", he explained.
When Will Messi Arrive in the Country?
Scaloni also provided details about Messi's arrival for this FIFA date. He explained that the captain will arrive after the Albiceleste's match against Burkina Faso. "Leo is coming in principle this weekend, after the match on the 3rd, but if he wants to come to play on the 3rd, he can, no problem", he commented.
