Scaloni in tears as Messi bids farewell, says Argentina cannot replace him
Scaloni said Argentina would remain grateful to Messi for everything he gave to the national team.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said there is no way to fill the void left by Lionel Messi after the captain's final appearance for the national team, reports Prothom Alo.
Scaloni broke down in tears after Argentina's 3-0 win over Benin, which marked the end of Messi's international career. Messi scored once and provided two assists in his farewell match.
For Scaloni, Messi's time with Argentina was a dream come true. Under his management, Argentina won four major titles with Messi as captain: the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2024 Copa America.
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"It was truly like a dream come true. I never thought I could be the coach of the best player in history," Scaloni said.
He said Argentina would remain grateful to Messi for everything he gave to the national team.
"My eyes are watering because there is so much going through my head right now. It will hurt not to see him anymore," Scaloni said.
Asked how Argentina would replace Messi, Scaloni said there was no answer.
"Nowhere," he said when asked where the team could find another player like Messi.
Scaloni said Argentina were already working with younger players and would continue developing the next generation. However, he said nothing could compare with having Messi alongside the team.
"I have never seen such an aura in anyone else in my life," he said.
Scaloni added that Messi's extraordinary talent could change the outcome of matches that appeared impossible to win.
"The player who could make a win possible in an impossible match with his extraordinary talent is no longer with you," he said.
