Argentina post-Messi: why is Scaloni naming bigger squads? | OneFootball

The Argentina National Team is getting ready to face its first friendly matches after finishing as runner-up at the 2026 World Cup. Although the opponents and the squad list for the match window have not yet been confirmed, the main focus is that this will mark the beginning of a new Albiceleste era following the retirement of Lionel Messi.

Amid rumors about an alleged delay in the squad announcement, the official timelines are within the usual range: there are still more than 20 days left before the first match, and head coach Lionel Scaloni usually announces the call-ups just one week before the start of the FIFA window. The lack of leaks regarding the preliminary list of monitored players also falls within the normal secrecy of the coaching staff.

As for Lionel Messi’s situation, it has been ruled out that he will take part in these friendlies following the announcement of his retirement on August 31. However, the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final will not be his last appearance in the national team shirt. The shared intention is to organize a tribute match on Argentine soil so that the captain can formally say goodbye in front of his fans, an event that will be postponed a while longer as the player processes his decision.

Parallel to the football side of things, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is working against the clock to secure Scaloni’s continuity. The contract of the coach from Santa Fe expires at the end of December this year, and the leadership will have to begin negotiations to renew the deal, especially after the coach’s statements.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.