"A different look": will Scaloni change Argentina's "identity" after Messi?

"... we'll see how we adapt"

Lionel Scaloni says Argentina will look for a new way to play after the retirement of Lionel Messi, confirming that the current friendlies are all about tactical experimentation.

The Argentina coach spoke at a press conference in Córdoba ahead of the friendly against Bolivia, his side's first official test in the post-Messi era.

According to Goal, Scaloni said: "We will find a way to play differently. That is what these matches are for, to experiment. However, our basic style still revolves around controlling the ball. From there we will see how we adapt."

Replacing a legend is no small task. Messi leaves behind 125 international goals, the all-time record for the Argentina national team.

Kooora Forums

Messi announced his international retirement in late August and will play his official farewell against Benin at the Monumental stadium next week.

Scaloni explained that the number 10 shirt would stay vacant until then, insisting the team was under no obligation to hand it to anyone in the current matches.

He added: "The idea is for one of the players to keep it in the end, given the special value it carries. We have not yet decided who will wear it."

On selection, he indicated that most of the players who featured in the 2026 World Cup final, the 1-0 defeat to Spain, would appear during this international break.

New faces should get their chance too, among them Nico Paz, Román Vega, Santiago Castro and Valentín Barco.

Argentina play Bolivia in the early hours of Thursday at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba, then face Burkina Faso on Sunday, before returning to Buenos Aires on 7 October for Messi's farewell.