Lionel Messi is scheduled to make his formal farewell appearance for Argentina in a friendly against Benin a week on Wednesday. Before this, Argentina will play two matches, beginning their transition into a future without their long-standing star.
Messi's international career, which included two Copas América and a World Cup, will not see a second reversal of retirement, as he is now 39. His departure means Argentina will no longer be able to rely on his individual brilliance when matches are going awry.
The post-Messi era for Argentina commences next week with games against Bolivia and Burkina Faso. Manager Lionel Scaloni has named a 35-man squad, including 12 players with limited international experience, as he looks to build a new team dynamic. Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez, both 28, are expected to form the first-choice central defensive pair, while 22-year-old full-backs Agustín Giay and Román Vega could stake a claim for future roles.
Tactically, the team may explore more traditional wingers, with young options like Leonel Flores and Matias Soulé potentially making their debuts. While replacing Messi's unique impact is seen as impossible, the team aims to find a new fluency, as demonstrated in a 4-1 victory against Brazil in March 2025 where Messi did not play.