Scaloni Wants to Savour Every Moment Before Messi's Argentina Farewell

Only one match remains before Lionel Messi's remarkable Argentina career reaches its final chapter. As the captain prepares for his farewell appearance in the national team shirt, head coach Lionel Scaloni admits he simply wants to savour every remaining moment with the legendary forward.

After Argentina's 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso, Scaloni spoke emotionally about Messi's final days with the national team and said the squad wants to enjoy his presence for as long as possible.

“Nothing will ever be the same without Leo Messi. I have never seen anyone generate emotions like Leo does. That is what we will miss the most. We always talked about how much we would miss him when he was no longer here. That time has now arrived,” Scaloni said.

The Argentina coach also suggested that, when Messi plays his final international match, he will experience the occasion more like a spectator than a coach.

“As for me, I will simply be a spectator. I will sit there and feel everything within me. I am grateful to have the opportunity to experience a day like this. He is still with us. We have two more training sessions with him, and in this short time we have left, we will continue watching him and enjoying his presence.”

For Scaloni, however, Messi's greatness goes beyond his goals, records and trophies. What makes him truly unique is the emotion his presence creates among teammates, opponents and supporters.

“The feeling of having him on a football pitch is truly unique. More than anything, I want people to understand what he generates simply by being on the pitch—among teammates and opponents, among our supporters and everyone else. As I have said before, I have known great players, played with great players and faced great players, but I have never seen anyone generate this kind of emotion.”

There was a time when Messi's Argentina career was defined by frustration over the team's long wait for a major trophy. That drought ended under Scaloni, with Argentina winning two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup during his tenure.

Scaloni has often preferred to keep his own contribution in the background, allowing Messi and the team to take the spotlight. Now, he has the rare opportunity to be present for the final chapter of the superstar's international career—just as he witnessed the beginning of Messi's journey with Argentina.

Argentina will face Benin at 5:00am Bangladesh time on Wednesday, with Messi expected to make his final appearance for the national team. The occasion has generated enormous anticipation among Argentina supporters and football fans around the world.

After beating Bolivia and then Burkina Faso comfortably during the current international break, Argentina's focus now turns to Benin. For Scaloni, the priority is simple: enjoy every remaining moment with Messi before the curtain finally falls on his Argentina career.