Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz on Messi's emotional Argentina farewell
Young stars Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz discuss the emotional weight of Lionel Messi's upcoming international retirement and the uncertainty surrounding coach Lionel Scaloni.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
The post-Messi era is looming for the Argentina national team. As the international break begins, the squad prepares for fixtures against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin, but the atmosphere is dominated by the reality that Lionel Messi is preparing for his final bow in the national shirt.
Franco Mastantuono, often tipped as the heir to the iconic number 10, admitted the transition will be painful:
It’s difficult. After Leo, it’s very difficult for everyone because he’s our idol, not just in football. I think he’s an idol for the whole country, and it’s going to be sad without him, but we’re going to have to do it for Argentina and for him. Franco Mastantuono
Beyond the player transition, there is growing uncertainty regarding the future of head coach Lionel Scaloni. With his contract nearing its end and no renewal confirmed, his tenure is in doubt. While Mastantuono avoided speculating on the coach's future, Nico Paz expressed a strong desire for the World Cup-winning manager to stay:
For me, he is one of the most important coaches, the one who made me debut and I hope he continues. Nico Paz
For Paz, the upcoming camp is a special opportunity to share the pitch with Messi one last time. The official farewell is scheduled for October 6 in Buenos Aires at the Monumental, where Argentina will face Benin.