Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni shared an emotional reflection about Lionel Messi and the impact his eventual retirement will have on Argentine football.

The World Cup-winning manager inevitably compared Messi’s future farewell to the void left by legendary icon Diego Maradona.

Scaloni reflects on the void Messi will leave

Speaking to Conmebol, Scaloni avoided confirming whether the 2026 World Cup will be Messi’s final tournament with Argentina and instead chose to focus on the present.

Still, the coach admitted that imagining football without the former Barcelona star feels similar to what happened after Maradona stepped away from the game.

“I like to think he will keep playing because it makes you sad, just like it happened with Diego, not seeing him on the pitch anymore”.

Scaloni emphasized that Messi, just like Maradona, belongs among the players who changed football forever.

“They are footballers who marked the history of the sport. Thinking that he won’t play anymore doesn’t leave you calm. I prefer to focus on the present”.

Could Messi and Maradona have played together?

The Argentina manager was also asked whether Messi and Maradona could have coexisted in the same team.

Scaloni had no doubts about it.

“Of course they would have played together in my national team”.

The coach explained that players of that caliber naturally find ways to complement one another.

“I don’t think about systems based on the coach, but on the players. They were the best in the world and they would adjust by themselves”.

Scaloni even joked that the real problem would have been for opposing teams.

“They could have complemented each other perfectly and the rivals would have had the problem”.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live for free on YouTube