Lionel Messi has constructed a legacy unmatched in soccer historical past, with followers, coaches, and even fellow superstars typically calling him the best participant of all time. However with the 38-year-old getting into the ultimate phases of his profession and his future unsure, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has made his stance clear on the query of who may succeed the legend.
A wave of younger expertise has emerged in recent times — some already established, like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Erling Haaland, and others nonetheless growing, like Lamine Yamal, Need Doue, or Argentina’s personal Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz. The nationwide group has already confronted challenges changing Angel Di María after his retirement, and discovering somebody to step into Messi’s position may show simply as troublesome.
Throughout a press convention on Wednesday, Scaloni was requested if Argentina — or the world — will ever see Messi’s successor. His response was blunt: “No, there can’t be. There received’t be. There received’t be an inheritor to Messi, for positive,” the coach mentioned.
Pressed additional concerning the international recreation, Scaloni doubled down: “There could also be nice gamers who mark their period, however what Messi has completed over such a very long time, I feel will probably be unrepeatable. Soccer has many sudden twists, however on this case, I can virtually guarantee you will probably be unattainable to see something prefer it once more. From what I’ve seen, Leo is unmatched.”
Head coach Lionel Scaloni (L) and Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina nationwide group throughout a coaching session.
Scaloni’s place is evident: whereas the world recreation is producing loads of rising stars, none will replicate Messi’s mix of brilliance, longevity, and affect. For the coach, Messi’s affect goes past numbers and trophies — it’s concerning the legacy he leaves in every single place he performs, one which even eclipses Argentine icon Diego Maradona.
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Lionel Messi’s farewell to Argentina?
Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifier on Thursday in opposition to Venezuela could possibly be a landmark second for the Albiceleste. The match is about to be Messi’s ultimate qualifier on Argentine soil, because the participant himself revealed final week after the Orlando Metropolis recreation.
The announcement instantly sparked questions on his long-term future, drawing a response from Scaloni. “Perhaps tomorrow received’t be his final match in Argentina,” Scaloni mentioned. “We’ll attempt to play one other one sooner or later, as a result of he deserves it.”
The coach additionally spoke about Messi’s every day affect on the squad, notably in coaching. “When he steps on the pitch, he brings one thing I’ve by no means seen in anybody else — and that’s simply who he’s as an individual. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure to educate him. He’s nonetheless right here at present, and we’ve to get pleasure from each second.”
