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Let’s face it. The era of Capitan Messi will sooner or later draw to a close for fans of the Albiceleste. Since being made captain at an early age of 24, La Pulga has seen many ups and downs over the years. Driven by the dream of bringing a trophy to a hungry nation, Messi has thrice brought the national team on the cusp of glory. Unfortunately, all ended in agony. Having played his third World Cup at 31 years of age, Messi may soon lay to rest his ambitions of a world title and hope the next generation might turn the dream into reality.
One final chance of glory and redemption, however, is still on the table for Messi, the 2019 Copa America. The continental showpiece will most probably be the swansong of his captaincy, if not as a player before the qualifiers for Qatar 2022 are underway. Given that he’ll be pushing 35 by then, it is almost certain that Messi won’t play a central role for the side as captain, or even as a player.
With these possibilities looming, current coach Lionel Scaloni has a task at hand to find the next leader in the group with the World Cup in sight. On the tactical front, he will also have to cultivate a style of football far from the luxury of utilising a single player's brilliance. In a nutshell, Lionel Messi hanging up his boots would lead to a complete overhaul of the two-time world champions.
Keeping in mind the scale of his current rebuilding initiative, the following players could most possibly contend for the role. Another part of the analysis is what are the challenges which could affect each's candidature.
#1 Sergio Romero
The veteran keeper is currently leading the young crop under coach Scaloni
The highest-capped goalie in Albiceleste colours, Sergio Romero has been constantly guarding the sticks for the past decade. Unfortunately, an injury just ahead of this year's World Cup denied him his third tournament appearance.
Now that Messi and the big boys have rested themselves, the 31-year-old finds himself leading a largely inexperienced squad thanks to caretaker coach Scaloni's initiative to infuse fresh blood. The arrangement looks temporary for now but he is definitely a frontrunner if Messi steps down before or after 2019 Copa America, given that he is the only 'veteran' intending to go as further as 2022 regardless.
Although experience and being a goalkeeper could grant him an extended career and captaincy, the idea of a 35-year-old captain at a World Cup would not be plausible to many. Romero's chances also stack against the rise of Geronimo Rulli, who along with Spurs' Gazzaniga could challenge him for his place, or force him out of reckoning altogether by the time 2022 comes knocking.
#2 Paulo Dybala
Argentinians felt blessed when a diminutive left-footed youngster dazzled on the world stage. In 2005 it was Messi, in 2017 it was Paulo Dybala. Bearing similarities to Messi in matters of playing position and goal scoring abilities, the 25-year-old is much touted as the legend’s heir in the national setup.
The hype is so real that it might even land the captaincy in the youngster’s lap, an encore of his predecessor’s case. However, his similarity to Messi plays against him in the way that both operate in the same areas on the pitch, a headache for any gaffer to accommodate them together. Paulo’s path could clear only when Messi himself makes way, when and how nobody knows for sure. One needs to bear in mind that Dybala’s leadership skills are untested for now and he himself might shy away from the role given the burden of expectations it brings. Even Messi once cracked under such prolonged scrutiny.
#3 Mauro Icardi
Top scoring with 30 goals in Serie A in the season leading to the World Cup should ensure a call-up to absolutely any national side. However, Argentina felt content with a spent strike force and denied Mauro Icardi a seat on the plane to Russia. Now that the rebuilding of Albiceleste is underway, it’s the perfect opportunity for Mauro to show why he is the next superstar Number 9.
In matters of captaincy, Mauro has some serious merits in his favour. Only 25, he already captains Internazionale and has done a pretty decent job. A fan-favourite, his goals, especially in big fixtures ensured the club’s return to Champions League after six seasons. More importantly, Mauro has the personality which is a polar opposite of Messi’s passive leadership and might satisfy some of the latter’s staunchest critics in this respect. He has the makings of a ‘rockstar’ captain the fanatic Argentinians desire.
The only challenge to him being the Capitan could be his very own personality. He has already raised eyebrows in his home country for some out-of-the-way life choices. Otherwise, Icardi could be the next in the list of ‘striker captains’ led by Harry Kane, Radamel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
