Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said they are no longer reliant on Lionel Messi’s shoulders ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia. Messi has always played a key role in Argentina’s success over the last two decades.

After making his debut back in 2005, Messi has scored 112 goals in 192 appearances for Argentina, winning the World Cup in 2022, two Copa América titles and a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in his 20-year career.

The veteran missed Argentina’s 1-0 win over Uruguay and also missed the clash against arch-rivals Brazil, which La Albiceleste won by 4-1, due to injury.

“The team is now in a moment where it can play in the same way with Leo [Messi] or without Leo, which used to be more complex in the past as we had to change some players,” Scaloni told reporters ahead of the match in Buenos Aires.

“But now we don’t have this necessity and the team works in the same way, that’s good.”

Meanwhile, Colombia beat Argentina 2-1 when these two teams last met in the World Cup qualifiers in September. Scaloni said his team will have their work cut out against Colombia.

“It’s a great team, and with great players, and it has a clear style that can put you in trouble,” Scaloni said.

“We’ve analysed it, we’ve shown the players their strengths and what we want to take advantage of. It’s going to be a nice game, especially because we play at home, so it’s good for our people to see the players.”

Argentina has already qualified for the World Cup in North America whereas Colombia is in the sixth and final automatic qualification position.