Argentina head coach tells how the team will cope without Messi and Di Maria

With club football on a break for international fixtures, the Argentina national team will play two World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Lionel Scaloni, head coach of the Albiceleste, discussed how his team is managing without Lionel Messi, who is currently injured, and Ángel Di María, who has retired from international duty. He also addressed the distribution of their jersey numbers.

"When Leo was absent, Ángel Correa wore his number. The number 10 has an owner, which is not an issue. The number without an owner is now number 11. We have an idea of who should take it, but let’s see; it’s a shirt they all cherish," Scaloni stated.

Argentina will play two qualifying matches: against Chile on the night of Friday, September 6, and against Colombia on September 10.

Additionally, Lionel Scaloni has announced the squad for the September World Cup qualifiers.