Scaloni plans new Argentina approach as Messi era reaches its farewell

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says his side will explore a different way of playing after Lionel Messi’s international retirement, with the team’s current friendly fixtures being used to test new tactical ideas.

Scaloni was speaking at a news conference in Cordoba before Argentina’s friendly against Bolivia, which will represent the national team’s first formal test of the post-Messi era.

“We will find a different way to play. That is what these matches are for to experiment,” Scaloni said, according to Goal. “Even so, our basic style is still based on controlling possession. From there, we will see how we adapt.”

The coach faces the formidable task of replacing Messi, who scored 125 international goals a record for Argentina’s leading scorer.

Messi announced his international retirement at the end of August. He is due to make his official farewell appearance against Benin at the Monumental next week.

Scaloni also confirmed that Argentina’s number 10 shirt would remain unassigned until that farewell match. He said the squad was under no obligation to give the shirt to another player during the current fixtures.

“The idea is that one of the players will keep it in the end, because of the special value it carries,” Scaloni added. “We have not yet decided who will wear it.”

Most of the players involved in the 2026 World Cup final are expected to feature during this international break. Argentina lost that match 1-0 to Spain.

However, Scaloni is also expected to give opportunities to a number of new players as he assesses the options available to him. Those likely to be involved include Nico Paz, Roman Vega, Santiago Castro and Valentin Barco.

Argentina will face Bolivia in the early hours of Thursday at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. They will then play Burkina Faso on Sunday.

The squad is scheduled to return to Buenos Aires on 7 October for Messi’s farewell. That occasion will mark the formal conclusion of the forward’s international career and provide Argentina with an opportunity to begin moving beyond the team’s long-standing reliance on its captain and record goalscorer.