"Lionel Messi heir? Impossible, there won't be one, he's irreplaceable"

Lionel Scaloni (47), the World Cup-winning, two-time Copa America-winning, and Finalissima-winning coach of Argentina, gave an exclusive interview to Marirro Varela for 'Flashscore'. He spoke at length about Lionel Messi's heir, De Paul's decision to play for Inter Miami, the future of players like Nico Paz and Mastantuono, the 2026 World Cup, and much more. It's truly unmissable, as you'll see for yourself.

First of all, congratulations on reaching 70 matches as coach of Argentina. I imagine it's special for you to complete such a long cycle of games in charge. How do you feel after achieving this milestone?

Well, it was unthinkable to have been here this long since the first day I arrived. Years and a lot of time have passed. It's a huge joy to still be here and, above all, to maintain a consistent approach. That's the most important thing.

One of the most decorated eras in Argentine football.

Yes, yes. We've been fortunate to be part of this, thanks to the players who, in the end, have given us this way of playing. Hopefully, we can continue. It's always getting harder, but the important thing is to keep trying, isn't it?

You said the team is stronger, regardless of whether Lionel Messi is present or not, because it continues to become more solid, even in matches where Lionel wasn't playing. How was that achieved?

Well, in the end, when he's on the pitch, we already know how the team plays, but the team has also understood that when he's not there, our style of play has to remain the same. Fortunately, we have players who minimise his absence, and that's what's important.

Without players, it's difficult, and that's what this Argentina team has: the ability to choose from the best and have a huge group of players.

Now there are Venezuela and Ecuador, the last two World Cup qualifying matches. What will you analyse between now and the World Cup in these two games? What will you be looking for?

We're using the matches against Venezuela and Ecuador, even though they're qualifiers, to try and maintain a consistent style of play, fielding our best team, but also taking the chance, now that we've already qualified, to give an opportunity to some players we have hope for and want to see on the pitch. We hope to give some footballers who haven't had opportunities a chance in these two matches.

Do you see yourself managing Argentina beyond the 2026 World Cup? Do you personally plan beyond the World Cup?

The truth is, I've never thought beyond what's coming up. I'm not even thinking about the World Cup; I'm thinking about these two upcoming matches, Venezuela and Ecuador, and then the tour in the United States.

In the end, it's not worth thinking much further ahead because you'll get distracted from what's coming now. Our motto is always 'think about the immediate'.

Leo Messi

Lionel Messi has confirmed that these are his last two qualifying matches. The day we all knew might come has arrived. How do you see the 'post-Messi era'?

Yes, well, first of all, let's enjoy him now, let's enjoy him as much as possible, all the matches he can play, and we'll see in the future... It's clear that at some point he won't be there, and Argentina will always continue, but the moment he decides not to come, the loss will be enormous, not only for Argentine football but for the world of football that wants to see him on the pitch. In the end, anyone who likes football wants him to be there, so for now, let's enjoy him.

Is there an heir in Argentine football?

No, impossible. There won't be one. There will be no Messi heir, for sure.

And in world football?

No, look, there may be great players who marked an era, but what he has done over so much time, I think it will be unrepeatable.

Football has a lot of unthinkable things, but in this, I could almost guarantee that it will be impossible to see anything like it again. At least from what I've seen, I think Leo Messi is unmatched.

And hearing him say that these are his last two qualifying matches, what did it mean to you, even though you already knew it?

It's important that he knows and is clear about what he wants to do with his future. As a coaching staff, we have to enjoy him: Argentinians always think about what's going to happen without enjoying the present, so for now, I enjoy him in training, and that's what I'll do.

What does Messi mean in a dressing room?

We know very well what Messi represents to his team-mates, both on and off the pitch, to the opposition, to the referee... everyone wants something from him.

Just having Leo Messi on the pitch is a factor, and to his team-mates in the dressing room, imagine, everyone is paying attention to what he does or says, and the truth is that anyone who knows him would realise he's just one of the lads.

Any unforgettable moment you've experienced with Messi in a dressing room that hasn't happened with any other footballer?

With Leo Messi, we've had a lot of moments where I realised we were talking about an irreplaceable footballer. He's played matches for us that only he could play, in physical conditions that others wouldn't have gone out on the pitch. He went out and nobody realised what was happening to him. We've seen things in training that are hard to see in another player. So, well, you keep them and take them with you forever.

Enzo Fernández

Regarding Enzo Fernández, how do you see him in the Premier League and leading up to the World Cup? How have you noticed his growth?

His adaptation to the Premier League is complete; he's done it. He's an established footballer and maintains a level among the best in the Premier League, which is now the most competitive league in the world. Fortunately, he has a manager (Enzo Maresca) who understands how he plays, how he likes to play, and I think he's happy from what I see.

I hope he maintains that level, which is important: we greatly value that he has stayed there and that he is the emblematic player of Chelsea, which is a great club in Europe.

How do you evaluate the fact that he plays under pressure at Chelsea? Does that help him to then play for Argentina?

Just having been a world champion and being given the captain's armband already speaks to the fact that they've seen qualities in him that warrant demanding more from him. I think he's capable of that. These are lads who have been competing since they were young, and pressure on a football pitch means nothing to them. They've done it all their lives, and I think they even thrive in that aspect. So, I see him well, and I see him eager.

Do you see him as a leader after Leo Messi in terms of his future with Argentina?

The word 'leader' has a lot of connotations. You can be a leader without speaking, you can be a leader by speaking, you can be a leader with the right words, or you can be a leader by playing because you're good at playing football. There are many footballers here who have that role. It's clear that, due to his age, Enzo Fernández is destined to be a footballer who will be around for many years.

Franco Mastantuono

Regarding Franco Mastantuono, he made his debut for Real Madrid and it caused a sensation. How closely did you follow his development up to joining the 'Los Blancos' and this process he's going through?

Franco's situation is a bit similar to Nico Paz's. He's a very young lad, even younger than Nico, who has taken a giant step in his career, to a huge club, and all in due time.

Fortunately, his manager understands him, knows very well what's what, and they'll manage him in the way they deem appropriate. Let's not forget how old he is, let's not forget the step he's taken, and I think Real Madrid is aware of that and will manage him in the way they see he can progress. Let's understand that he's a young lad and needs to adapt.

As a coaching staff, we believe in his potential, and to the extent that we deem appropriate and that he can contribute, we'll use him. And if we see that it's not the right time yet, we'll also do that, eh... but it's clear that he's a lad who has a huge future.

Do you see him as mature for 18 years old and that he really feels the game as if he's always been playing at Real Madrid, in these first few matches?

Yes, he's a lad who shows maturity, shows that he wants to learn, and it's clear that he has fantastic qualities and that he has to exploit them, as long as the club, his team-mates, and the manager understand that he's 18 years old.