Franco Mastantuono on emotional Lionel Messi farewell as Argentina enter international break | OneFootball

Argentina have entered the international break with a sense of nostalgia, as Franco Mastantuono admits the camp will be emotional with Lionel Messi preparing his goodbye. According to Goal.com, the 19-year-old says the captain’s absence will be felt across the country.

The triple-header starts on Wednesday, September 30 against Bolivia at Cordoba’s Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium. Buenos Aires then stages two Monumental fixtures, Burkina Faso on Saturday, October 3, and Benin on Tuesday, October 6.

All three are evening kick-offs, and Messi will skip the first two. He will join later to focus solely on the Benin match, which will serve as his official farewell to international football.

Mastantuono, rediscovering form in Serie A and tipped by many as a future wearer of the number 10 shirt, said it will be painful to move on after the Inter Miami superstar. He described Messi as a national idol and added that, while it will be sad without him, the players must carry on for Argentina and for him.

Uncertainty also surrounds Lionel Scaloni, whose contract is nearing its end without a confirmed renewal. Asked about the coach’s future, Mastantuono said they do not know anything and are simply enjoying the present.

Como playmaker Nico Paz, given his debut by Scaloni and part of the 2026 World Cup squad, voiced hope the coach stays. He said sharing the pitch with Messi one last time is special and that he has arrived with his usual enthusiasm to represent Argentina.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”