Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, said that no one could take the place of Lionel Messi, speaking through tears after a 3-0 victory over Benin that marked Messi’s departure from the national team.<\/p>\n
For Scaloni, who won four major titles with Messi as his captain, the partnership was more than he had hoped for.<\/p>\n
“It was truly like a dream come true,” he said. “I never thought I could be the coach of the best player in history.\u201d<\/p>\n
His voice grew heavy as he went on. “We will be grateful to him forever for giving us the chance to be with him,” he said.<\/p>\n
“My eyes are watering, because there is so much going through my head right now,” he said. “It will hurt not to see him anymore.”<\/p>\n
Under Scaloni, with Messi leading the team, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2024 Copa America.<\/p>\n
Messi scored once and set up two goals against Benin in his farewell match.<\/p>\n
Asked about Argentina’s future without Messi, Scaloni said there was no easy way to fill the void. Where, then, would the team find another Messi? “Nowhere,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We are working with young players now,” he said. “This process will go on. But the feeling of having Messi next to you, nothing compares to it.”<\/p>\n
Scaloni tried to explain what made Messi different. “I have never seen such an aura in anyone else in my life,” he said.<\/p>\n
Then he seemed to remind himself of what had changed. “The player who could make a win possible in an impossible match with his extraordinary talent is no longer with you,” he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
-UNB<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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