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Lionel Scaloni has stated that it is “impossible” for Argentina to replace Lionel Messi as they prepare to face Indonesia in an international friendly tomorrow (June 19).
The Argentine tactician decided to rest the 35-year-old and give him permission to miss the flight to Jakarta. Juventus winger Angel Di Maria and SL Benfica player Nicolas Otamendi have also been rested.
In his pre-match press conference, Scaloni was asked which player would replace Messi against Indonesia. The 2022 World Cup winning coach responded, via @AlbicelesteTalk on Twitter:
“Who will replace Messi tomorrow? No one. Nobody can play like Messi. But we will try to make the team play the same way knowing that it is impossible to replace him. The team is trained to do the same and we will try. No one will play for Messi, but Some players will do something similar.
Messi could start his vacation early as he prepares to join Inter Miami in July. Meanwhile, it could be the chance for 18-year-old Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho to make his first big start. Not albiceleste when they face Indonesia.
Messi participated in Argentina’s 2-0 friendly victory over Australia on 15 June, scoring his 103rd international goal in his 175th appearance. He recently confirmed that he will not play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Lionel Messi claimed he had nothing left to win after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi recently claimed to have achieved it all in football after Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Following news of his imminent move to Inter Miami, the Argentine superstar sat down with beIN Sports for an interview earlier this month. There claimed:
“I have achieved everything in football. There is nothing left.”
This is a statement that Messi is arguably the only one qualified to make among active soccer players around the world. He has won every major club, international and individual titles that sport has to offer him.
Perhaps a move to MLS could re-energize his hunger for success and present him with a new challenge. He reportedly signed a bumper two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami that will see him pocket between $125-150 million.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will work with his new club, who are bottom of the 2023 Eastern Conference table after 17 league matches.
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