Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni faces a challenging period as he prepares to reshape his team following Lionel Messi’s international retirement, with injuries to several key players adding to his concerns. The world champions are expected to face Uruguay and Costa Rica in November friendlies without Messi, while the absence of forward Lautaro Martínez and goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez could further complicate their preparations.

A new era without Messi

Messi brought an end to his 21-year international career following a friendly against Benin on 6 October. His departure marks a significant turning point for Argentina, who have relied on his creativity, goalscoring ability and leadership throughout one of the most successful periods in the national team’s history.

Scaloni must now find ways to maintain Argentina’s attacking threat without their talisman. Although the squad has considerable depth, replacing Messi’s influence will require adjustments to the team’s approach, particularly in the final third.

Lautaro Martínez was expected to shoulder greater responsibility in attack following Messi’s departure. However, the Inter Milan forward’s injury means Argentina will also be without one of their most experienced attacking options during the November international break.

The absence of Emiliano Martínez, meanwhile, presents another significant setback. The goalkeeper has established himself as a key figure in Argentina’s recent successes, making his availability particularly important as Scaloni prepares for the upcoming fixtures.

Argentina’s November fixtures

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced two friendly matches for November. Argentina are scheduled to face Uruguay in Buenos Aires on 13 November before meeting Costa Rica in Córdoba on 17 November.

The match against Uruguay is planned for La Bombonera, the home ground of Boca Juniors, although the venue has yet to be confirmed.

The fixtures will provide Scaloni with an opportunity to assess his squad’s depth and experiment with alternative combinations ahead of future international commitments. They will also offer younger and less-established players a chance to demonstrate that they can contribute at the highest level.

Uruguay are expected to provide a demanding test, while the encounter with Costa Rica will give Argentina another opportunity to assess their attacking and defensive balance without several regular starters.

Lautaro Martínez ruled out with a muscle injury

Lautaro Martínez sustained an injury to the back of his left thigh while playing for Inter Milan. Medical examinations revealed a muscle strain, with his recovery expected to take between four and six weeks.

That timeframe is likely to rule him out of both November friendlies, leaving Scaloni to consider alternative options at centre-forward.

José Manuel López and Santiago Castro are among the possible candidates to lead the attack. The manager could also consider calling up another forward, depending on the squad’s overall needs and the players’ fitness.

Lautaro’s absence is particularly significant because of his ability to operate as a traditional striker, hold up possession and create opportunities for teammates. His movement and finishing have made him an important component of Argentina’s attacking system.

Without him, Scaloni may need to adjust the way his side builds attacks and creates chances in the penalty area. The upcoming matches could therefore provide valuable evidence of how effectively Argentina can adapt to a different attacking combination.

Emiliano Martínez faces a spell on the sidelines

Argentina’s concerns extend to the goalkeeping position following an injury to Emiliano Martínez. The World Cup-winning goalkeeper suffered a fractured jaw after a collision with defender Jarrad Branthwaite during a Premier League match involving Everton and Chelsea.

He received initial treatment on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher. He subsequently underwent surgery in hospital.

Martínez has been a central figure in Argentina’s recent achievements, earning a reputation for his composure under pressure and his ability to deliver decisive saves in crucial matches. His performances in penalty shoot-outs have also played an important role in the national team’s success.

His absence leaves Scaloni with several alternatives to consider. Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso and Santiago Beltrán are among the goalkeepers who could be given an opportunity, while Walter Benítez is another name under consideration.

The decision will depend on the manager’s assessment of the available options, their current form and their suitability for Argentina’s playing style. Whoever takes over will face the task of maintaining the defensive confidence that Martínez has helped establish.

Defensive concerns add to Scaloni’s problems

Argentina’s worries are not confined to attack and goalkeeping. The fitness of central defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez has also become a concern ahead of the November fixtures.

Romero suffered an injury during Atlético Madrid’s 1–0 La Liga victory over Espanyol on Saturday. He experienced muscular discomfort in the second half and asked to be substituted.

Subsequent examinations reportedly identified a minor injury to his adductor muscle. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately 10 to 12 days.

The injury is not considered serious, raising hopes that Romero could return to full fitness before the November international break. However, his recovery will need to be monitored to ensure that he is ready to resume competitive action.

There is also no major reported concern at present regarding the fitness of his defensive partner, Lisandro Martínez. His availability would be particularly valuable, given the importance of maintaining stability and understanding at the heart of Argentina’s defence.

The pair’s partnership has been an important part of the team’s defensive structure. Any disruption could force Scaloni to reconsider his preferred centre-back combination, particularly if Romero requires additional recovery time.

Opportunity for Argentina’s alternatives

The growing list of absentees presents an uncomfortable challenge for Scaloni, but it could also create opportunities for players who have not regularly featured in the starting line-up.

Argentina must find solutions in three crucial areas: replacing Messi’s creativity, compensating for Lautaro Martínez’s absence in attack and maintaining defensive security without Emiliano Martínez in goal.

The manager will also have to consider how to preserve the team’s established style while introducing different personnel. Argentina’s recent success has been built on collective organisation, tactical discipline and the ability of individual players to perform under pressure. Maintaining those qualities will be essential, even with several key figures unavailable.

For the players competing for places, the friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica could represent an important opportunity to establish themselves in the national set-up. Strong performances may also help Scaloni identify reliable alternatives for future competitions.

Argentina are therefore approaching November with a mixture of concern and opportunity. Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Emiliano Martínez are set to be unavailable, while the coaching staff will hope Romero and Lisandro Martínez remain on course to return in time.

How effectively Scaloni adapts to these absences will be closely watched. The two friendlies will offer an early indication of whether Argentina can maintain their competitive edge as they move into a new phase without one of the greatest players in their history.