The news hit like a bombshell: Lionel Messi, Argentina's undisputed number 10, won't be playing in the next qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni, the national coach responsible for leading Argentina to the world title, has left the star out of the squad for the matches against Chile and Colombia. And of course, the decision is already causing a stir.
If you thought that Messi's absence was a tactical choice, you can get out of the rain. The truth is that the star is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the Copa America final. Even so, you can't ignore the fact that Argentina are leading the Qualifiers by a long shot, and many are wondering if Scaloni is preparing the ground for a future without Messi.
Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).
The lead in qualifying, with 15 points from six games, puts Argentina in a comfortable position. They are two points ahead of Uruguay and no less than 10 points ahead of Paraguay, who are the first team outside the direct qualification zone for the World Cup. The scenario might suggest that Argentina can afford to spare their greatest idol, but is that all there is to it?
Scaloni seems to be preparing a new strategy for the team. Perhaps he's testing the squad, looking for solutions that don't rely so heavily on Messi. After all, the star won't play forever, and Argentina need to learn to walk on their own two legs - or, in this case, on different feet.
Messi's absence, however, is not just a technical issue. It raises a number of questions about the player's future in the national team. Are we beginning to see the twilight of an era? It's possible that Scaloni is starting to plan the post-Messi cycle, something that will inevitably have to happen sooner or later. And the way the national team responds to this absence could be a harbinger of things to come.
For fans, the news is a mixture of relief and concern. Relief because Messi will be able to recover fully without the pressure of playing injured. Concern because, without the maestro, Argentina will lose a lot in terms of creativity and leadership. Of course, Argentina's squad is strong and has players capable of solving problems, but nobody has the impact that Messi has. His absence is a reminder that even the greatest players leave the stage one day.
In any case, Scaloni has a plan. And it's a good thing he does, because facing Chile and Colombia is never easy, even with a comfortable lead in the table. These games will serve as a thermometer for the team and, perhaps, a preview of what Argentina will be like from now on. Without Messi, the game is different. The ball passes more, the team relies more on the collective and less on an individual genius.
This absence also places extra responsibility on other players. The likes of Dibu Martínez, Lautaro Martínez and Rodrigo De Paul will have to take on an even more central role, leading the team on the pitch. It's then that we'll see if Argentina are really a team capable of reinventing themselves or if they're still hostage to Messi's incomparable talent.
And make no mistake, Scaloni's decision will be analyzed in every possible way. If Argentina win the next few games, he'll be praised for his vision, but if they lose, the critics will be ready to point the finger and question why Messi wasn't there. But deep down, everyone knows that this is an issue that transcends the result of two games. We're talking about long-term planning, a cycle that will inevitably come to an end.
Meanwhile, Messi is recovering and watching from afar. Perhaps with a mixture of frustration and relief. After all, carrying the weight of a nation on his back isn't easy, and a break, however short, could be just what he needs to come back even stronger. But one thing is certain: Argentina without Messi will never be the same. And that's what makes these next few games so fascinating.
At the end of the day, we're witnessing a transition. It could be a short break or the start of something deeper, but either way, the impact will be felt. What Scaloni and his players do now could shape the future of the Argentinian national team for years to come. And for those of us watching from the sidelines, we can only watch and wait to see how this story unfolds.