Mansion Sports – Lionel Scaloni discussed a wide range of topics during his latest press conference. 

The Argentina head coach spoke about his future with the national team, Lionel Messi, the fate of the No. 10 jersey, when the superstar will return to Argentina, and who will lead the team after Messi leaves.

Scaloni spoke on Tuesday during a press conference ahead of the friendly match against Bolivia, which will be played early Thursday morning at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. The match will be La Albiceleste's first friendly since the 2026 World Cup.

"I Have Decided to Continue"

Scaloni confirmed that he wants to remain in charge of Argentina when his current contract expires next December.

Regarding his negotiations with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia, as reported by "Marca", he said: "I have been speaking with President Tapia for quite some time to see if we can move forward and reach an agreement."

"Now we have these matches ahead of us, but everything will depend on reaching an agreement. The desire to continue is there, and that is the most important thing."

The Argentina coach added: "I have decided to continue, and I have the desire to keep working and reach an agreement. When we have something, we will announce it."

Scaloni Decides the Fate of the No. 10 Jersey

Who will inherit the No. 10 after Messi? Scaloni gave a clear answer: "Until Leo's match is played, we will not give the No. 10 to anyone."

He added: "After that, we will see," while explaining that the idea is for "one of the players to continue wearing it, with all the value and beauty that it carries."

When Will Messi Arrive in Argentina?

Scaloni revealed when Messi will arrive in Argentina, saying: "Initially, he will come at the weekend, after the match against Burkina Faso on October 3. If he wants to come for that match, there is no problem. But he will arrive on Sunday."

Messi is expected to play his farewell match for Argentina against Benin at the Monumental, which will likely be packed with spectators.

Scaloni Names Argentina's Leaders After Messi

With Messi's departure drawing closer, Scaloni also named the players who will wear the captain's armband. He explained that three captains will share the responsibility during the upcoming series of friendly matches.

He said: "The captain is already Cuti (Romero) after Leo and Ota (Otamendi), the second is Emiliano (Dibu), and the other is Lautaro Martinez, at least in these matches."

Romero received warm praise from his coach. "Cuti, besides being a great player, has to take on this responsibility, and he has already done so. We know he is capable of handling it, and he has to show what it means to wear the captain's armband," Scaloni said.

He added: "Everyone will want to follow his example, and he has to develop in many ways. We see that he is capable of being a leader, and we believe he will always be there to defend the national team jersey."

"It Will Be Difficult to Replace Messi as Captain"

Scaloni stressed that Messi's departure will leave Argentina without more than just a footballer. It will also create a void in terms of leadership, both on and off the pitch.

He said: "Besides being a player, he created something on and off the pitch that I have never seen from anyone. So just imagine, wouldn't losing him be difficult?"

He continued: "But we have people who are capable of providing leadership, and good people, and that is the most important thing. I am not looking for leaders who make their teammates afraid of them, but rather good and positive people."

Scaloni concluded: "We all have to replace what Leo used to do, and that will be difficult, but this group has always responded."

With that, Argentina are beginning to prepare for a new phase after the long era led by Messi. Scaloni wants to continue his work, the No. 10 jersey will temporarily remain unassigned, while Cuti Romero, Emiliano Martinez, and Lautaro Martinez will share leadership responsibilities in the upcoming matches.