Lionel Messi's retirement from international soccer presents Argentina with the enormous challenge of replacing the GOAT. In more than two decades wearing the national team's shirt, 15 of them as captain, Messi assumed every responsibility and won every trophy. He became its central figure, its symbol.
Messi has been "an indispensable player" for Argentina, as head coach Lionel Scaloni says; without him, the national team loses many things. It loses goals (he's their all-time top scorer with 126), assists (all-time leader with 67), chance creation (193 goal contributions in 208 matches), a set-piece specialist (76 goals from dead-ball situations), the first and the final pass (12 assists in World Cups), individual flair and leadership (World Cup and Copa América champion); creativity, prestige (eight Ballon d'Ors and 47 titles); the ability to attract sponsors, calmness in difficult moments; the genius to decide major matches (goals in Copa América and World Cup finals). And more, much more.
Héctor Oesterheld, author of "The Eternaut," Argentina's most famous comic book, used to say that "the only valid hero is the collective hero, never the individual hero, the hero alone." The phrase applies to Messi, who only achieved what he did with Argentina once he was surrounded by a team. And this collective effort will also be applied to the future of the national team.
Life goes on, and Argentina must keep competing. It will never have another Messi to replace him, like for like, so the difficult task of filling that void will have to be a group effort. Scaloni, who understands that clearly, said it himself: "Together we will try to replace what Leo used to do."
With that hypothesis as a starting point, ESPN has determined -- with the help of Argentina insider Diego Monroig -- which players could best assume the different aspects of the game in which Messi excelled. With the 2030 World Cup as the next major objective, Scaloni is trying to rebuild an Argentina side capable of competing again.
"The only way is with a great team, where everyone contributes their grain of sand," the coach insists. It will not be easy. He will have to spread among several players the roles that for years were concentrated in the mind, heart and left foot of the greatest player of all time.
Candidates to replace Lionel Messi's skills with Argentina
Goals: Lautaro Martínez (or Julián Álvarez)
Without Messi, Argentina's most important goalscorer should be Lautaro Martínez, as he already showed in the World Cup semifinal against England. Inter Milan's captain and leading scorer is a decisive figure in Serie A and a major presence inside the box. Alongside him will be Julián Álvarez. The Atlético Madrid star is often willing to sacrifice his own goal output to contribute in other phases of the game, like buildup play, but he can also contribute around goal.
Insider take: Lautaro is a key striker for Scaloni and Argentina, the link between buildup play and finishing. Excluding Messi, he is the top scorer of the Scaloni era with 32 goals.
Key passes: Alexis Mac Allister
As Argentina's midfield has evolved, the Liverpool star has been shuffled around different roles and positions without losing any of his strengths. His intelligence and versatility keep him among the starters. His quality on the ball, reading of the game and work rate have gradually moved him deeper in order to secure possession and provide cover.
Mac Allister's passing accuracy was key to keeping Messi from dropping too deep to collect the ball, and it will remain crucial for managing clean buildup play. Lisandro Martínez's left foot can provide something similar from the back line.
Insider take: A world-class player with extensive Premier League experience. A key name in a key position. Much of Argentina's game goes through his feet. An all-around midfielder, as Scaloni likes to say.
Assists: Enzo Fernández (or Nico Paz)
The youngster who burst onto the scene at Qatar 2022 is now an established starter for Argentina. His reading of the game and of space, combined with his ability to arrive in the opposition box, make him stand out. He has an excellent understanding with Julián Álvarez, and also connects well with Lautaro Martínez.
Paz has the vision and precision to become Argentina's chief creator in Messi's absence, though it won't be an immediate thing. His game should become even more cerebral with time, which ought to maximise his talent.
Insider take: The perfect complement to Mac Allister. Another Premier League player with plenty of playmaking ability and presence in the final phase of attacks. He can become a striker's best friend.
'The No.10' creativity: Nico Paz (or Enzo Fernández)
Despite his youth, Nico Paz has already spent several seasons as one of the main creative engines for Como, Europe's surprise team. What he does in Italy while wearing the No. 10 shirt, setting the tempo and orchestrating every attack, will not be easy to replicate with Argentina, but it offers an indication of what he can do in the right environment.
With the national team he has several experienced partners, including Enzo Fernández, to share the creative burden Messi leaves behind.
Insider take: Based on form and performance, Paz is the leading candidate to help Argentina move on from Messi's farewell, and he's a player Scaloni particularly likes. He has playmaking ability, creativity and goals, and he wears the No. 10 shirt at Como. The leading candidate to inherit the No. 10, with all the significance and symbolism that entails.
Set pieces: Julián Álvarez
Even with Messi in the side, Álvarez had already earned responsibility for taking corners and free kicks further from goal. The ones nearest to goal naturally belonged to Messi, but without Leo, "La Araña" will also be responsible for all of them -- including the kind around the box that can win matches and championships.
Álvarez has already taken on that responsibility at the club level, and will have no problem doing so with Argentina. Technique and personality have never been lacking.
Insider take: Argentina has no shortage of quality takers, but Julián Álvarez seems destined to become the team's specialist. At every club he has played for, regardless of age or status, he has taken on dead-ball duties and delivered goals and assists. Without Messi, he could further strengthen his partnership with Lautaro Martínez.
Individual impact: Gianluca Prestianni (or Franco Mastantuono)
The devastating dribbling ability of the young Messi, something that was still visible in the way he protected the ball in his later years, seems to have carried through to Argentina's new generation. Unlike Messi, Prestianni attacks from left to right, but he has a similarly destabilizing effect on opponents through his feints and unpredictable ball carrying. Benfica's attacker can unlock defensive blocks on his own.
Franco Mastantuono offers something similar from the opposite flank, although his game seems more cerebral and his development could eventually lead him toward populating more central areas.
Insider take: Prestianni belongs to the younger generation and is enjoying an excellent spell at Benfica. His dribbling and goalscoring ability stand out, but the key will be adapting to the group and earning a place in the future. At just 20 years old, he already looks like one of Argentina's new offensive pillars.
Drawing Opponents' Marking: Julián Álvarez
In terms of technique, mentality and physical capacity, there are very few things Álvarez cannot do on a football pitch. His broad skill set includes a sense of positioning and space possessed by only a select few. Messi created space and opened defenses up by walking; Julián does it at full speed. But both know how to read opposing defences, distract them with movement and play for the team when they cannot solve things themselves. It is a quality that should only improve as his career progresses.
Insider take: One of Julián's strengths is his ability to stay connected to the play even without the ball, in a Messi-like way. He can become a decisive factor in creating chances. Defensive work and sacrifice make him a complete all-rounder.
International Prestige: Lautaro Martínez
Argentina aren't short of without global stars after Messi's retirement, although the spotlight is now more evenly shared. Even so, Lautaro Martínez stands above the rest because he scores goals (more than 180), wins trophies (nine and counting) and has consistently been among Serie A's top scorers for years. That consistency at club level is what kept him in the national team through difficult scoring spells and what projects him into a future in which he will have to become even more influential.
Insider take: His experience is a major advantage, as is his long track record with Inter. A goalscorer, champion in Italy and highly respected by opponents, he has even competed for top positions in Ballon d'Or voting in recent years, finishing seventh in 2024.
Calm in Decisive Moments: Alexis Mac Allister
The brain of this new Argentina should be Mac Allister. Although he can play in various positions, his intelligence and composure convinced Scaloni to move him into a deeper role where he can provide balance to the entire structure. Not only does he guarantee a quality first pass, but he also ensures the team will play at the right tempo at the right moment.
His role will be to transmit the calmness that defines him: to the creators so they can create, and to the whole team so it can play with the confidence required against the strongest opponents.
Insider take: He knows when to press, when to speed things up and when to accelerate the ball. He can play anywhere across midfield.
Deciding Close Matches: Enzo Fernández (or Lautaro Martínez)
The Manchester City midfielder showed it at his first World Cup, when he came off the bench and scored a stunning goal against Mexico to revive Argentina's campaign. He confirmed it a few months ago in the semifinal against England with a powerful strike from outside the box. Enzo Fernández is built for the biggest moments, whether achieving glory through talent or force of will.
Messi had a great deal of that quality, and Lautaro Martínez possesses something similar through his instinct for goals. He already showed against England that he too can deliver when it matters most.
Insider take: Alongside his youth comes the experience he gained in Qatar and at the 2026 World Cup. The winner of the Best Young Player of the 2022 World Cup was crucial against Mexico, and the pressure of FIFA's biggest competition has never shown that it's weighing on him. He is also a natural winner, with nine trophies at only 25 years old.
Competitive Leadership: Cristian Romero (or Emiliano Martínez)
He was already the captain on the pitch even without wearing the armband, before Scaloni decided he was the right man to take over in this new era. The decision reflects both a collective choice and a leadership role he had already earned. "Cuti" Romero is part of this championship-winning generation, shares its values and embodies them. Alongside him will remain other veterans, especially Emiliano Martínez, the competitive leader who supports the team from the goal with his words, his saves and his passion between the posts.
Insider take: Chosen by Scaloni, Romero is now the man with the armband. He already made his official debut as captain in a friendly against Bolivia and even scored a goal. He was a leader at Tottenham Hotspur and now plays the same role under Simeone at Atlético Madrid. The fact that Messi effectively endorsed him as captain says everything about what he represents within the group.
How Argentina will line up for its first game at 2030 FIFA World Cup
As the host of one of the opening matches in 2030 as FIFA commemorates the tournament's centenary, Argentina already has its place secured. There is still a long way to go until then and perhaps the exercise is somewhat daring, but we can try to project Scaloni's starting lineup for the team's first World Cup match of the post-Messi era.
For that occasion, at home and in an expanded World Cup, we imagine an attacking setup.
With many of the names already mentioned expected to feature, the major question mark will be at both full back positions, which will belong to Agustín Giay on the right and either Román Vega or Juan Soler on the left. But everyone will be united by the same objective: making Messi's absence feel a little less significant.
This crew will be dreaming of bringing another moment of joy to Lionel, who this time will not be on the pitch with them. They will be dreaming of reaching another World Cup final, and they will be determined to keep Argentina at the top of the world's game.