Argentina started the 2026 World Cup with back-to-back wins, with Lionel Messi already scoring five goals. But the question is, what will happen to the current world champions if their talisman is injured?
Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina frankly has no system – Lionel Messi is the system
It feels like the soccer world has come to a complete standstill. One man, Lionel Scaloni, manages to make the Earth spin again. Then there’s no pressure.
The possibility of Lionel Messi being forced out of the World Cup due to injury is something that no one, except Cristiano Ronaldo, can imagine. It will send shivers down the spine for Scaloni, the rest of the Argentina national team, and millions of soccer fans around the planet.
Messi shined at this World Cup more than anyone else. Nearing the age of 39, he rewrote the history books with two performances of pure vintage. Living proof that age is just a number.
However, some of these numbers he posted once again cast doubt on Argentina’s claim to be true favorites.
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Messi has scored all five of his team’s goals in the competition so far. And as long as Messi stays fit and healthy, there’s an argument to be made that Scaloni doesn’t even need a supporting role. Because his leading role is so special.
But does Scaloni have an immediate plan if the unthinkable happens and he has to move forward without him? Even Messi has already admitted that he is running on fumes.
The responsibility to continue winning games will fall on the shoulders of Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez. Martinez started alongside Messi in the win over Austria, but failed to make an impact. Meanwhile, Alvarez is dealing with the turmoil caused by huge speculation regarding his future at the club.
Do Martinez and Alvarez have what it takes to help Argentina conquer the world again? That seems and feels unlikely.
On the other hand, countries such as France and Spain seem to be less dependent on a single person. Kylian Mbappé is the figurehead of Didier Deschamps’ side, while Lamine Yamal is his Spanish counterpart. But just one look at the alternative attacking options available to both of these powerhouses will put Argentina in the shadows for a time.
If Messi is there, he’s reliable, but what happens when he’s not or when he’s not doing well? (Image: Getty Images)
Argentina is a street-wise team that has strengthened its entire spine. If we’re one goal behind them, that’s a big problem.
But there’s no getting away from the fact that this same team continues to revolve around one man. It is also called meside pendencia.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic best expressed Messi’s continuing influence when he said: “Messi is not only Argentina’s best player. He is Argentina’s system. He is Argentina’s trust and belief. He is the reason why all his teammates go on the pitch thinking that the impossible is possible.”
“Greatness isn’t when everything is about you. It’s when everyone gets better because you’re there.”
Argentina need no reminder of what the privilege of having Messi still affords them.
But even without mentioning privilege, the question remains as to how much quality and influence Argentina has left to successfully defend its crown.
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