Scaloni commits to Argentina project as he prepares for life without Messi

Lionel Scaloni has agreed a contract extension to remain Argentina manager until 2030, but says the team must now adapt to the absence of Lionel Messi, whom he described as “irreplaceable”.

Scaloni thanked the Argentine Football Association and its president for their efforts in securing the agreement, while expressing his enthusiasm for continuing the project.

“I am extremely happy. They made a huge effort to complete this agreement,” Scaloni said, in comments published by Sport. “Although these are not easy times for members of my family, this gives me a great feeling of satisfaction.”

He added: “Honestly, it is what we have all wanted from the beginning. We are the same as we were on the first day, with the same enthusiasm and desire. Otherwise, it would not have been possible for me to be here.”

Scaloni said remaining in the post after discussions with those close to him was the right decision.

“This job requires you to do it with all your energy and vitality,” he said. “After consulting the people close to me, we decided that continuing was the best option.”

The next phase will include opportunities for younger players, although Scaloni warned that they would need patience and understanding as they develop.

“These players have enormous potential, but perhaps they have not yet reached the level that Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Otamendi gave us,” he said.

“From now on, these players need everyone’s understanding. I have the same enthusiasm and desire that I had on the first day.”

Scaloni also addressed Messi’s international retirement and the challenge of replacing the former Barcelona player.

“Messi cannot be replaced, and there is no way around that or any way to try to play in exactly the same way without him,” he said. “That is not possible. His influence was not limited to what he provided on the pitch; it also extended to everything he created around him.”

Argentina will seek to retain a similar style while finding different solutions, Scaloni said, acknowledging that selecting the squad without Messi would be difficult.

“Our task will be to play in the same way without him,” he added. “We will try to continue without Messi, maintaining a similar style of play and looking for other alternatives. We all have to get used to it.”

Scaloni has not decided who will wear the number 10 shirt previously held by Messi.

“We have not thought about the player who will receive that number until it becomes necessary,” he said. “When the time comes, we will see who gets it. It does not concern me and I do not consider it important.”

He added that Argentina would ideally give the shirt to one player capable of keeping it, rather than passing it between several members of the squad.

According to Argentine media reports, Scaloni’s new agreement is structured as two periods of two years. The first covers the next two years and focuses on Copa America 2027, with the possibility of ending the contract early if Scaloni feels he has lost the motivation or energy to continue.

A further two-year extension would then take the agreement through to the next World Cup finals.

The main change to Argentina’s coaching staff is the departure of Walter Samuel, who has decided to pursue a new career as a manager in Europe. Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala, Luis Martin, Martin Tocalli and Matias Manna will remain part of the team.