Most Argentine fans want to see Messi in the team.

BanglaPress Desk: Lionel Messi’s ‘recently former’ Argentina teammates find themselves in a peculiar situation. A national team training camp is underway—but Messi is not there, and there is no chance of him returning! How can the team cope with the absence of the man who was, for so long, the uncrowned king of these camps? This sentiment was clearly reflected in the words of Alexis Mac Allister.

Messi bid farewell to international football on October 6, following a match against Benin. Over the course of a 21-year international career, he led Argentina to victory in one World Cup, two Copa América tournaments, and a Finalissima title.

Beyond his achievements, Messi was a true leader to the Argentine squad—an absence they are struggling to come to terms with. Mac Allister revealed that a significant portion of the team still wishes for Messi to be part of the squad.

"It feels strange," Mac Allister said. "We still haven't fully accepted that Leo is no longer with us. A part of us still wants him to stay."

Yet, the entire team understands the reality of the situation; whether they like it or not, they must accept it. "We understand the circumstances," he added. "This is a new chapter, and we must navigate it as best we can. The best player in the world is no longer with us, so we must grow stronger as a collective unit."

In an interview with *Diario AS*, Mac Allister emphasized that, in challenging moments, Argentina can no longer rely on the individual magic of one player. Now, the team’s collective fighting spirit is what matters most.

The midfielder explained, "Leo is truly unique; there will never be another like him. Deep down, we know we must evolve into a robust team, because we no longer have that one player capable of single-handedly changing the course of a match. That is our goal—that is what we strive for—and it will require hard work."

While it is impossible to replace someone like Messi, Mac Allister remains confident in the young talent emerging within the country. "Argentina has always been blessed with an abundance of talent," he noted. "There are still some very gifted players in the squad." "I believe the next generation will step forward and fill the void left by those who have moved on."

Among these young talents, Nico Paz stands at the forefront. The young star, currently playing for Como in Italy under coach Cesc Fàbregas, has been in excellent form. His name has even come up as a potential successor to wear Messi’s iconic number 10 jersey.

Praising Paz, Mac Allister remarked, "He is an incredibly talented player with immense quality. Most importantly, as a team and as his teammates, we are here to support him. We want to help him reach the level he is currently demonstrating at Como."

He added, "That is what we want most. We can see that people love him and offer him a great deal of support—that is truly significant. We wish him the very best, and he can always count on our support."

Argentina is set to face Uruguay on home soil on November 14. Following that, they will travel to Costa Rica to play a second friendly match on November 17.

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