As Argentina advances in the World Cup, the potential impact of an injury to Lionel Messi has become a significant concern for the team and its supporters. Messi, who turns 39 this week, has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament so far, delivering standout performances that have underscored his status as the centerpiece of the squad.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni faces the daunting challenge of preparing for a scenario in which Messi might be sidelined. While Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez are the likely candidates to step up in Messi’s absence, their capacity to carry the team has been questioned. Martínez started alongside Messi in Argentina’s recent 2-0 victory over Austria but failed to make a decisive impact. Meanwhile, Álvarez is currently navigating distractions linked to speculation about his club future, adding another layer of uncertainty.

Argentina’s heavy reliance on Messi has been widely noted, with some observers suggesting that the team’s offensive system revolves entirely around him. Former Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic articulated this viewpoint by describing Messi not only as Argentina’s best player but as the embodiment of the team’s entire structure.

Comparisons with other leading football nations highlight Argentina’s vulnerability should Messi be unavailable. France and Spain, for example, boast strong alternative attacking options behind their star forwards—Kylian Mbappé for France and Lamine Yamal for Spain—providing greater tactical flexibility. Argentina’s depth in attack appears comparatively limited, raising questions about how well the team could contend without Messi’s influence.

The looming possibility of losing Messi underscores the importance of every squad member’s readiness and adaptability as Argentina aims to defend its World Cup title. While the team continues to benefit from the extraordinary talent and leadership of Messi, the extent of its capacity to maintain its championship challenge without him remains a critical, unanswered question.