"It is a bit strange" - Argentina star on experience of playing without Lionel Messi in the national team
Lionel Messi sustained an ankle injury in July and missed Argentina's South American World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who partnered Lautaro Martinez up top in Messi's absence, has talked about how it felt to play for Argentina without their captain and talisman.
La Albiceleste won the game against Chile 3-0, but suffered a 2-1 loss against Colombia. This was the first time in 11 years that Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria were both missing from Argentina's squad list, as the latter had retired from international football after the Copa America final.
Alvarez, who currently plies his trade for Atletico Madrid in Spain, spoke to ESPN about the experience of playing without Messi. He said:
"Well, because it has been many years since Leo is in the national team. It is a bit strange because well, the way of playing of the team is marked a bit because you know where he moves, by the place in the field that he occupies. But nothing, now there have been some parties that have not been and we try to adapt, of that change, that is not so noticeable."
Since his reported €95m switch from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid this summer, the Argentine striker has scored one goal in seven appearances for the La Liga giants.
Lionel Messi could return to boyhood club in the future - Reports
Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 and penned a two-and-a-half year deal with the MLS outfit. His influence yielded fruits as Inter Miami went on to win their first-ever trophy - the Leagues Cup - last year.
The 37-year-old's contract ends in December 2025 and David Beckham's co-owned club are yet to organise any talks with Messi about a potential contract extension.
Reports from El Nacional have suggested that the Argentina skipper might return to his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys upon the expiration of his contract with the Herons. For now, Messi will be focused on securing the MLS Supporters' Shield and doing well with his team in the playoffs.