Argentina have learned to cope with Lionel Messis absences and no longer need to rejig the line-up when the Inter Miami forward is not available, manager Lionel Scaloni said ahead of Wednesdays World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
Since making his senior debut in 2005, Messi has scored 112 goals in 192 appearances for Argentina, winning the World Cup in 2022, two Copa America titles and a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The 37-year-old captain missed Argentinas 1-0 win over Uruguay and 4-1 thrashing of rivals Brazil in March due to injury, with Scalonis side securing their place at the 2026 World Cup during that international break.
He returned to the squad for this months World Cup qualifiers and made a substitute appearance in Argentinas 1-0 win over Chile last week.
The team is now in a moment where it can play in the same way with Leo 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.
