With the departure of their captain, the Argentine national team enters a new era, and retaining the head coach becomes a priority. Olé believes that keeping Lionel Scaloni is the best solution for Argentina at this moment.

What now? What will Argentina look like without Messi? Who will be the new standard-bearer? Who will wear the captain's armband? Who will wear the number 10 shirt, the legacy of Diego Maradona and Messi? Who will be the leader carrying the dreams, hopes, and magic that has guided generations of supporters who have celebrated alongside him? Messi's departure is undoubtedly a historic turning point in Argentine football, much like the period after Maradona. But amid all these questions, one equally important question emerges: what about the other Leo—coach Leo?

Lionel Scaloni told Olé after the final defeat to Spain: "I will coach until December, and then I'll speak with the president (Claudio Tapia). My idea is to relax and rest." These words were once the headline before the discussions surrounding the retirement of the number 10. To some extent it was predictable, but knowing something might happen and actually seeing it happen are two completely different things. The shock of this news is undoubtedly much greater.

Because without captain Messi, Argentina will not be the same. Moreover, if the other Leo—the head coach—were to leave as well, the situation would become far more complicated. Ultimately, in the simplest terms: without its architect, this team would cease to be "Scaloni's Argentina." It would be almost a complete restart, as if everything had to begin anew.

Of course, even assuming a rebuild without the captain or head coach, Argentina still has the core of World Cup winners and finalists, which means the situation is far from the crisis that followed the 2018 World Cup. Back then, Argentina built its most successful period from the ruins of that Russian failure. But it is clear that with Lionel Scaloni at the helm, the prospects would be different—more optimistic and less traumatic.

For this reason, especially following Messi's retirement, retaining Lionel Scaloni is now a top priority. As the coach stated, his contract runs until December. He will then guide the team through two more international windows, with a packed schedule in September and October, and another in November. In fact, before the first training camp after the World Cup, he must announce the preliminary squad next Sunday, and captain Messi will no longer be on the list.

Certainly, after his nearly final words following the defeat in the Copa América final against Spain, Scaloni's tone has softened somewhat, though he expressed no clear hope. Undoubtedly, now with adequate rest, a recharge, and time for reflection, external judgments about his future could also change. Recent signals, in fact, suggest positivity rather than negativity.

Lionel Scaloni once said: "The position I hold now is a dream position. The day I leave, I will regret it." That was his true feeling about the Argentina job, and it remains so. In fact, he prefers to stay with Argentina rather than coach a major club and face the daily media pressure to which he is not accustomed. He loves his current life: returning to Majorca during every international break, cycling around the island, and doing the other things he loves most. If he were coaching a club, those things would not be as frequent.

Therefore, those close to him believe the coach is ready to continue with Argentina. However, this requires agreement on economic terms for a new contract, including conditions for his coaching staff, as well as consensus on a sporting plan. There are not many questions in this regard; the path forward is largely clear.

In fact, Lionel Scaloni knows the way forward. He initiated and stabilized the most difficult transition period for Argentine football and, to some extent, has paved the way for the next stage. Although Messi's retirement was highly likely given his age of 39 and has long been expected, attention must still be paid to key figures like Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes, who were crucial during the reconstruction period.

He will also be without Nicolás Otamendi, who confirmed his departure from the national team after the World Cup. As for Emiliano Martínez, he once expressed doubts about his future with Argentina, but he still has records to break at the national goal and remains motivated. He now faces new challenges at Chelsea, which will also rejuvenate him.

However, Lionel Scaloni still has a solid core consisting of Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Enzo, Alexis, Lautaro, and Julián; he is also consistently adding young players, including Nico Paz, Giuliano Simeone, Barco, Leão Balda, Máximo Perrone, Agustín Giay, Santiago Beltran, Tomás Arándu, Joaquín Fretés, Suárez, Valentin Carboni, Garnacho, and Mastantuono, who will form the next generation of Argentine football. With them, Lionel Scaloni has reason to rely on and expect that another part of his work will truly materialize.

Therefore, although there have been no negotiations between the two parties and both have maintained respect and necessary discretion, the news of Messi's departure will undoubtedly create a new situation for the future of "Scaloni's Argentina." Because if there is no longer one Leo, Argentina cannot afford to lose the other Leo as well.

Переведено ИИ.

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