Reigning world champions Argentina have finally learnt to adapt to periods without Lionel Messi and channel the same effect on the pitch, said manager Lionel Scaloni ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Colombia on Wednesday.
The Colombians had trumped Argentina 2-1 the last time the teams met in September and Messi’s limited showing in matches this year has meant Argentina has qualified for the 2026 World Cup without a chunk of contribution coming from their talismanic play-maker.
Messi arguably stands as Argentina’s most influential footballer, standing at the heart of their 2022 World Cup triumph besides two Copa America titles and the Olympics gold in Beijing 2008. Leading the international goals tally for Argentina, Messi has netted 112 goals in 192 appearances for the country.
The Inter Miami superstar, however, missed Argentina’s qualifiers in the March window due to injury when the Albiceleste thwarted Uruguay 1-0 before thrashing arch-rivals Brazil 4-1 and sealed their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
“The team is now in a moment where it can play in the same way with (Messi) or without Leo, which used to be more complex in the past as we had to change some players,” Scaloni told reporters ahead of the match in Buenos Aires. “But now we don’t have this necessity and the team works in the same way, that’s good.”
Messi made his return last week as a substitute in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile.
Standing on the sixth and final automatic qualification spot in the South America qualifiers, Colombia will hope to extend the game between themselves and seventh-ranked Venezuela with a second successive win over the Argentinians.
“It’s a great team, and with great players, and it has a clear style that can put you in trouble,” Scaloni said. “We’ve analysed it, we’ve shown the players their strengths and what we want to take advantage of. It’s going to be a nice game, especially because we play at home, so it’s good for our people to see the players.”
