Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, said that no one could take the place of Lionel Messi, speaking through tears after a 3-0 victory over Benin that marked Messi's departure from the national team.
For Scaloni, who won four major titles with Messi as his captain, the partnership was more than he had hoped for.
"It was truly like a dream come true," he said. "I never thought I could be the coach of the best player in history.”
His voice grew heavy as he went on. "We will be grateful to him forever for giving us the chance to be with him," he said.
"My eyes are watering, because there is so much going through my head right now," he said. "It will hurt not to see him anymore."
Under Scaloni, with Messi leading the team, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2024 Copa America.
Messi scored once and set up two goals against Benin in his farewell match.
Asked about Argentina's future without Messi, Scaloni said there was no easy way to fill the void. Where, then, would the team find another Messi? "Nowhere," he said.
"We are working with young players now," he said. "This process will go on. But the feeling of having Messi next to you, nothing compares to it."
Scaloni tried to explain what made Messi different. "I have never seen such an aura in anyone else in my life," he said.
Then he seemed to remind himself of what had changed. "The player who could make a win possible in an impossible match with his extraordinary talent is no longer with you," he said.
