Argentina faces a period of transition following the international retirement of Lionel Messi, marking the end of a golden era for the national team. Messi formally stepped down from international duty on Monday after 21 years wearing the iconic number 10 shirt, during which he led Argentina to three major titles, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 39-year-old’s final competitive appearance came in July’s World Cup final, where Argentina were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Spain. Among the 17 players who participated in that match, only two will be under 30 when the next World Cup begins in 2030. This situation underscores the team’s ageing core, with veteran center-back Nicolás Otamendi, 38, retiring shortly after the final. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and midfielder Leandro Paredes, 32, have also hinted at stepping away from international football. Paredes, who received a 10-match FIFA suspension following an incident after the final, acknowledged the team will face challenges without Messi’s presence.
“If he (Messi) isn’t there, it will be hard for everything to keep working the way it used to,” Paredes said in an interview with Argentinian television. The futures of other senior players like Rodrigo De Paul remain uncertain, with speculation linking his international career closely to some key teammates.
The status of head coach Lionel Scaloni is another point of focus. Since his appointment in 2018, the 48-year-old has overseen Argentina’s most successful period since Diego Maradona’s era, guiding the team to victory in the 2021 Copa America and ending a 28-year major trophy drought. Scaloni’s current contract expires in December, and although reports suggested he had agreed to extend his deal until 2030 prior to the World Cup, he expressed doubts about his future role following the defeat to Spain. “I need to think, because I don’t know if it’s possible to achieve something as great as this,” Scaloni said.
Looking ahead, Argentina will automatically qualify for the 2030 World Cup, which will be primarily hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Argentina scheduled to host one match as one of three South American nations granted this privilege. Before then, the team aims to secure a third consecutive Copa America title in 2028.
Despite Messi’s departure, several established players are expected to remain central to the team’s core. Defensive mainstays Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero form the preferred center-back pairing, while midfield roles have been strengthened by Enzo Fernandez—recently transferred to Manchester City for a British transfer record fee—and Alexis Mac Allister. Up front, the exit of Messi may create more opportunities for forwards Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, the latter of whom will be expected to increase his goal-scoring output after netting 15 goals in 59 appearances.
Messi himself is optimistic about the nation’s future prospects. “I’ve given it my all. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” he said upon announcing his retirement. Young talents like Nico Paz, who appeared twice at the World Cup, Giuliano Simeone, son of former Argentina player Diego Simeone, and Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono, who earned four caps at 19, are emerging as potential long-term contributors. Argentina’s upcoming generation demonstrated promise by reaching the final of last year’s Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
While Argentina has no fixtures scheduled for the upcoming international break, the Argentine Football Association is reportedly considering organizing a farewell match for Messi, who finishes his international career as the country’s all-time leading scorer and appearance-maker with 125 goals in 207 games. The national team now faces the challenge of rebuilding around a new generation as it seeks to maintain its status among world football’s elite.