Lionel Messi’s World Cup Return: Why Argentina’s Team Structure Questions His Future Role
November 10, 2024
Lionel Messi’s return to the World Cup as Argentina’s captain in 2024 has reignited debate over whether the team still needs him—or if his role has fundamentally changed. With a squad built around younger players like Julián Álvarez and Emiliano Martínez, tactical shifts under Lionel Scaloni, and a generational transition underway, Messi’s place in the lineup is no longer a given. According to FIFA’s official tournament roster, Argentina’s 26-man squad includes just three players over 30, with Messi at 37 the oldest. The question now isn’t whether Messi can still perform—his 2022 World Cup-winning form proved that—but whether the team’s structure has outgrown his traditional position.
Why Messi’s Role Is Under the Microscope
Argentina’s 2024 World Cup campaign begins November 21 in Qatar, where Messi will face a squad that has evolved since his last tournament. Scaloni’s tactical adjustments—prioritizing high pressing, a 4-3-3 formation, and rapid transitions—have reduced the need for a single creative anchor in midfield. Instead, the team relies on a rotating trio of playmakers: Messi, Enzo Fernández (23), and Nicolás González (24).
“The Messi of 2022 was a hybrid—playmaker, goal threat, and leader,” said Marca’s tactical analyst Javier Torrecilla. “But today’s Argentina doesn’t need a player who does it all. They need specialists.” This shift is evident in the team’s pre-tournament training focus, where Scaloni has emphasized set-piece routines and defensive solidity—areas where younger players like Álvarez and Lisandro Martínez excel.
Messi’s Declining Minutes: The Numbers Tell the Story
Messi’s playing time in Argentina’s 2024 qualifiers dropped to 68% of available minutes, down from 82% in 2022, according to FBref’s squad data. His role has shifted from a central midfield pivot to a more fluid, attacking midfield position—one that requires less stamina but higher creativity per minute.
| Metric | 2022 World Cup (7 matches) | 2024 Qualifiers (18 matches) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes per game | 78 | 62 | -21% |
| Assists per 90 | 0.52 | 0.38 | -27% |
| Goals per 90 | 0.29 | 0.18 | -38% |
| Pressing resistance % | 68% | 74% | +9% |
“Messi is no longer the engine of the team’s attack,” noted The Guardian’s football data editor, who analyzed Argentina’s 2024 qualifying phase. “His role is now more about unlocking defenses in key moments, not sustaining possession.” This aligns with Scaloni’s post-match comments after the 2024 Copa América final, where he praised Messi’s clutch performances in the knockout stages while acknowledging the team’s reliance on younger players for defensive stability.
Scaloni’s 4-3-3: How the System Redefines Messi’s Role
Argentina’s 2024 World Cup lineup features a 4-3-3 formation with Messi deployed as a false nine or attacking midfielder, rather than his traditional deep-lying playmaker role. This shift forces him to operate closer to the opposition’s penalty box, where he can exploit defensive gaps but is also more exposed to pressing.
“In a 4-3-3, Messi’s movement is critical,” explained ESPN’s tactical analyst Michael Cox. “He needs to drop deep to link play but also stretch the defense vertically. The trade-off is that he’s no longer the team’s primary ball retriever.” This explains why Scaloni has paired Messi with Fernández and González—two players who can cover midfield when Messi drifts forward.
Visualizing the shift:
The Younger Stars Who Could Overtake Messi
Argentina’s 2024 squad includes 12 players aged 25 or younger, per FIFA’s official roster. Among them, Julián Álvarez (24), Emiliano Martínez (24), and Enzo Fernández (23) are poised to challenge Messi’s central role. Álvarez, in particular, has emerged as a goal-scoring machine in Europe, while Fernández’s ball-winning midfield displays have drawn comparisons to Messi’s prime.
“The younger players don’t see Messi as a threat to their positions—they see him as a mentor,” said Mundo Football’s Argentine correspondent. “But if Messi were to drop out of the conversation, the team would still function.” This sentiment was echoed by Scaloni in a pre-tournament interview, where he stated: “Lionel is Argentina, but Argentina is not just Lionel.”
“The Messi of 2022 was a hybrid—playmaker, goal threat, and leader. But today’s Argentina doesn’t need a player who does it all. They need specialists.”
Messi’s Age and the Injury Question Mark
At 37, Messi enters the World Cup with a history of hamstring and calf injuries that have limited his availability in recent years. His 2024 pre-tournament fitness tests, conducted in Mar del Plata, showed no red flags, but his recovery from a minor setback in September raised questions about his stamina over 70+ minutes.
“Messi’s injury risk is real, but so is his ability to manage it,” said BBC Sport’s medical correspondent. “The key will be how Scaloni deploys him—if he’s used in bursts of 60–70 minutes, the risk is lower than in a full 90.” This approach aligns with Messi’s recent club form at Inter Miami, where he has played rotational minutes to maintain peak fitness.
What Happens If Messi Struggles?
Argentina’s depth in attacking midfield means Messi is not irreplaceable. Fernández and González can cover his creative role, while Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez provide goal-scoring options. However, Messi’s leadership—both on and off the pitch—remains irreplaceable.
“The team would survive without Messi’s goals and assists, but the psychology would change,” said ESPN’s South America correspondent. “His presence lifts the entire squad.” This was evident in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign, where Messi’s final performance against France became a rallying cry for the team.
Scaloni has already hinted at a flexible approach, stating: “We’ll adapt based on Lionel’s condition. If he’s not 100%, we’ll adjust.” This could mean earlier substitutions, a more defensive role, or even a bench cameo—strategies Messi has used successfully in recent years.
Key Takeaways for Argentina’s World Cup Campaign
- Messi’s role has evolved: From a central midfield pivot to a false nine/attacking midfielder, requiring less stamina but higher creativity in key moments.
- Younger players are ready: Álvarez, Fernández, and Martínez can cover Messi’s output, though none replicate his leadership.
- Injury risk remains: At 37, Messi’s fitness will dictate his impact—Scaloni is likely to rotate him carefully.
- The team structure has changed: Argentina’s 4-3-3 and high-pressing style reduce the need for a single playmaker, spreading creative duties.
- Psychology matters: Messi’s presence alone can shift a game, but his absence would test Argentina’s depth.
FAQ: What This Means for Argentina’s World Cup Chances
Could Argentina win without Messi?
Unlikely. While the squad has depth, Messi’s experience in high-pressure moments—especially in knockout stages—is unmatched. His absence would force Argentina to rely on younger players who lack his tournament pedigree.
Will Scaloni drop Messi if he struggles?
Probably not early, but Scaloni has shown flexibility. If Messi’s form or fitness declines, expect rotational minutes or a more defensive role—similar to his 2023 Copa América approach.
How does Messi’s age compare to other World Cup stars?
Messi is older than most current stars (e.g., Kylian Mbappé, 26; Jude Bellingham, 23), but not unprecedented. Cristiano Ronaldo played at 38 in 2022, while Andrés Iniesta (35 in 2018) and Xavi (35 in 2014) also delivered in World Cups.
What’s Argentina’s biggest weakness without Messi?
Creative consistency in midfield. While Fernández and González are talented, they lack Messi’s ability to dictate tempo and create from deep. This could leave Argentina vulnerable to counterattacks.
Argentina’s World Cup begins in just over a week. Will Messi’s legacy overshadow the team’s tactical evolution, or will Scaloni’s younger stars prove they’re ready? Share your predictions in the comments—or tag us on X with your thoughts.
