Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that his team no longer depends on world footballer Lionel Messi. This statement seemed to suggest that Messi would be dropped when Argentina faced Colombia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday (11 June 2025).
"This team (Argentina) is at a stage where the players can perform equally well with or without Lionel Messi," Scaloni told Reuters on Tuesday (10 June 2025).
Scaloni admitted that he had difficulty finding suitable replacements for several players before finding his best pattern.
'Before, it was more complicated because we had to find replacements for some players when Messi was absent,' he explained.
'Now, however, we don't have that need because the players are performing well,' he said.
Since making his senior debut in 2005, Lionel Messi has scored 112 goals in 192 appearances for Argentina, winning the 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles and a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
However, the 37-year-old captain missed Argentina's 1-0 win over Uruguay and 4-1 victory over rivals Brazil in March due to injury. Meanwhile, Scaloni's side secured their place at the 2026 World Cup during the international break.
Messi returned to the squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers, coming on as a substitute in Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile last week.
Meanwhile, Argentina have already qualified for the World Cup ahead of their match against Colombia. Colombia, meanwhile, is in sixth place and trying to distance itself from Venezuela.
"They're a great team with great players and a style that can get you into trouble," he added.
Ahead of the match against Colombia, Scaloni analysed their playing style, and is therefore very confident that Argentina can win.
'We have analysed it and shown the players Colombia's strengths. It will be a good match, especially because we are playing at home," he concluded.
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