Thiago Almada (right) deserves to be considered Messi's "successor" - Photo: REUTERS
In the first leg, played in late 2023, Argentina lost 0-2 to Uruguay, with Messi playing the entire 90 minutes. Argentina was even playing at home in that match.
And this morning, Argentina had a sweet revenge when Messi was absent due to injury. In addition to Messi, coach Scaloni also lost Lautaro Martinez, who was in very good form.
So Julian Alvarez became the mainstay of the Argentine attack. He was supported on both flanks by Thiago Almada and Giuliano Simeone. As a result, Almada became the hero with a stunning goal - a rainbow shot from about 20 meters away.
Who is Thiago Almada? For the past few years, the 23-year-old player has been hailed by the Argentine media as "the right-footed Messi" with a physique, playing style, and technical quality similar to his senior.
In fact, Argentina has dozens of such players. The one who is expected to start on the other flank is another "right-footed Messi": coach Diego Simeone's son.
Giuliano Simeone is 1.74m tall, just 3cm taller than Almada. Both are strong in technique, ball control, often launching dangerous curling shots from the edge of the penalty area... And both were teammates through the Argentine youth teams.
In the 69th minute, Simeone left the field, making way for Nico Gonzalez - who has long been identified as a backup option whenever Messi is injured. Nico is 26 years old, left-footed, and plays in a similar way to the two juniors mentioned above.
On the bench, coach Scaloni also has Benjamin Dominguez - a younger, more immature version of Simeone and Almada. All are over 1.7m tall, have good technique, are good at dribbling, holding the ball and finishing from the edge of the penalty area, and have a rather... gentle face.
At number 10, Argentina has another talent to look forward to. That is Nico Paz. The midfielder from Real Madrid's training academy is only 20 years old this year, but promises to be a star worth watching in world football in the coming years.
Compared to Almada or Simeone, Paz is taller, more lanky, but is even stronger in his ability to hold the ball and lead the game. At 20, Paz is in no rush. It is very possible that the 2026 World Cup will be his chance to shine from the bench.
And from now on, coach Scaloni does not have to worry too much about finding someone to control the game when Messi is absent. He has Enzo Fernandez and Mac Allister - two very good players in the "number 6" and "number 8" positions, with the same technical playing style.
Messi is one, the only one. But when Messi is 38 years old, an Argentina - without Messi will be more combative, more capable of competing.
As for the attacking front, let's look forward to the rise of Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, and Nico Paz in the near future... Because each of these young players more or less possesses Messi's qualities.
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