Scaloni faces the unthinkable: “Nothing will ever be the same without Messi”

Argentina is preparing for a night that will be remembered for generations.Lionel Messi is set to play his final game for the national team against Benin, bringing down the curtain on an era that has given Argentine football a World Cup, a Copa America and countless moments of magic.##LINKED_NEWS_69581##The farewell has already caused an unprecedented scramble for tickets, with Lionel Scaloni admitting he has never seen anything like it."If we had a stadium five times the size of the Monumental, it would be full," the Argentina coach told La Nacion. "I get messages from everywhere and I can't even explain to people how difficult it is to get tickets."21.45: (3.70) Wales (3.65) Denmark (1.95)But Scaloni knows this will be about far more than a sold-out stadium."I can only imagine the emotions everyone will feel, especially Leo," he said. "From the moment he steps onto the pitch at the Monumental, it will be unforgettable for everyone. I am grateful to be part of it."It will be his day, and the day of his teammates, who will give him the greatest footballing gift he deserves."##LINKED_NEWS_69025##Yet while Argentina prepares to celebrate Messi, Scaloni is already thinking about what comes next. Because eventually, the impossible will become reality: Argentina will have to play without him."There will only be nostalgia because he won't be there anymore," Scaloni said. "It is no longer just a question of football, because we have to keep playing. But the feeling when he is there is unique."##LINKED_NEWS_69329##The Argentina boss believes it is almost impossible to explain just how much Messi changes a football match simply by being present."I would like people to understand what Messi brings to the pitch… for opponents, for his teammates, for the fans. I have never seen that in anyone else."Scaloni knows the national team is about to lose something that cannot be replaced."The Argentina national team will continue to exist, but nothing will ever be the same. His departure cannot be compared with anyone else's," he said.