Scaloni pays tribute to ‘irreplaceable’ Messi after Argentina farewell

Lionel Scaloni described Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer in history after the Argentina captain made his final international appearance in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin.

Messi scored once and set up two goals in the match, played in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing his Argentina career to a close. Speaking at his post-match news conference, Scaloni said coaching the 39-year-old had been the fulfilment of a dream.

“I never imagined in my life that I would coach the best footballer in history,” said Scaloni. “Coaching Messi was a dream come true.”

He added, as reported by ESPN Argentina: “I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be with him, and it will be sad not to see him again. My tears are falling because so many thoughts are going through my mind.

“He has left us a great legacy. This story will continue, but he will remain irreplaceable.”

Scaloni acknowledged the difficulty of moving forward without the player who has shaped Argentina’s recent success, but said the squad had the ability to adapt.

“We now have to continue the journey without him,” he said. “It will be difficult, because what we have experienced over the past few years is not normal. We are capable of dealing with it; we have some talented young players.

“However strong the team is, it is not easy to make people understand how difficult this will be.”

The Argentina manager added that, despite playing alongside and watching many outstanding footballers, he had never seen anyone produce what Messi does.

“I have played with great players and seen many of them, but I have never seen anyone offer what he offers,” said Scaloni. “He is unequalled and unique. The greatest player of all time has gone.”

Scaloni also revealed the emotional impact of the occasion inside the Argentina squad. He said Messi’s team-mates had been anxious because they wanted to give him the best possible send-off.

“Everyone, including the senior players, looks at him in the same way and wishes him all the best,” he said. “Everyone has been speaking to him since Sunday, so it was not easy for anyone.”

The coach said the arrival of new players could broaden Argentina’s approach as they adjust to life without their captain.

“New players have joined us, bringing a fresh perspective and allowing us to play in a wider variety of ways, something we did not have before,” he said. “We are trying to integrate them and see how they work together. Everyone has to contribute.”

Scaloni believes collective football is the only way Argentina can compensate for Messi’s absence.

“The only way to replace Messi’s absence is to play well as a team,” he said. “At the moment, we are missing the player who can make that leap, change the course of a match in an instant and turn things around on a bad day with one moment of brilliance.

“There are very good players, but no-one like him. There will never be another player like him.”

Scaloni concluded by saying Messi deserved a night such as his farewell.

“We have to be grateful for everything he has given us,” he said. “If things go well, I will continue as manager, but it is incredible to see another player like him leave such a great legacy at the age of 39. He deserved this night.”