Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has admitted Lionel Messi and Angel Di María are "irreplaceable" while hinting at ushering in a "different" style.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Di Maria won second Copa America in the summer
• Retired from international football on a triumphant note
• Scaloni will be forced to try a different style

Follow GOAL's official WhatsApp channel!Join now

• Table of Contents

  Toggle

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Di Maria walked away from the international stage in the summer after inspiring Argentina to their record 16th Copa America title by beating Colombia 1-0 in the final. The former Real Madrid winger was also a key figure at the 2021 Copa America, scoring the winner in the final and went on to get his name on the scoresheet in the 2022 World Cup showpiece as Argentina secured their third global title.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Scaloni hailed Di Maria after the 2024 Copa America final and labelled his performance as "one of the best" in his career. The manager had hoped to convince the winger to rethink his retirement decision with the 2026 World Cup in sight but his efforts were in vain.

• WHAT SCALONI SAID

  Scaloni admitted that he cannot replace either Messi or Di Maria but will try to play "differently" in the absence of the Benfica star.

  "They are irreplaceable," he stated in an interview with . "They are not players that can be replaced, it is impossible. There is no chance, both Fideo and Leo are unique players.

  "In the case of Fideo, we will not look for a replacement. It would be a mistake to look for a player who can do the same as him, he doesn't exist. It is true that he gave us width both on the right and on the left. We will try to find a player who can provide that width. Then the 1v1, understanding the play and getting out of the galley incredible plays only he had it. I'm not saying that the team should reset itself, but why not play differently because Ángel is not there."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?

  It has been suggested that Messi could follow Di Maria into retirement in the near future, though the Inter Miami star has not yet ruled out playing at the 2026 World Cup. Argentina are leading the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying table with 18 points from eight matches. They will be back in action during the October international break against Venezuela and Bolivia.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News