Argentina (National Football)

After enduring a disappointing start to their men's football campaign, the Argentina team needed a big result in their second match. The South American giants still have plenty to work on, but if Angel Correa stays fit and at his blistering best, they cannot be ruled out in the medal fight. 

It is hard to imagine worse preparations for a major tournament than those of Julio Olarticoechea's team. The 1986 World Cup winner indeed only found out he would be taking the reins in the Olympics halfway through July, thanks to Gerardo Martino's resignation.

Since then El Vasco has fought against clubs' stubborn reluctance to release their players at a time when the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is in a torrid state. He saw key players such as Paulo Dybala, Luciano Vietto, Matias Kranevitter, Leandro Paredes and Ramiro Funes Mori, to name just a handful, turn down the national call on their clubs' behest, and just days before the close of squad selections had less than 10 players at his disposal.

That chaotic start to the Olympic campaign is keenly felt in the Argentina ranks. The team may have won out 2-1 against Algeria in the Estadio Joao Havelange on Sunday, but the performance was once again far from convincing. Perhaps inevitably for a team still getting to know each other, any sense of collective fluidity and team play was almost imperceptible. 

As they have for many years at youth level, the Albiceleste appear to be relying on their dazzling individual talents shining through and showing them the way forward in Brazil. Luckily, Atletico Madrid forward Correa looks ready and willing to take that mantle and live up to the reputation of a shirt that carries infinite weight. 

The No. 10 belonged to Lionel Messi before the Barcelona wizard announced his international retirement following another final disappointment in June's Copa America. Previously it had been worn by Juan Roman Riquelme, Ariel Ortega and, most famously, the great Diego Maradona. The number carries a mystique and importance like no other, but Correa has the talent and the attitude to bear the pressure and lead the attack. 

Having folded 2-0 to Portugal in Wednesday's curtain-raiser, Argentina lined up in a menacing manner as they sought to make amends. Correa joined Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Pavon in a creative trident behind sole centre-forward Jonathan Calleri. 

While the Central and Boca men were tasked with generating play from deep, the 21-year-old Rosario native pushed further forward to play off Calleri as a second striker. But there was little sign of the trio's obvious talent in a torrid first half against Argentina. 

Algeria pushed across the pitch, stifling their more illustrious opponents long before the ball made it to the dangermen. Correa and Co. were forced to feed off scraps, while the North Africans created by far the clearer chances. Fortunately, in Geronimo Rulli, Olarticoechea can count on the talents of one of the most talented goalkeepers in the entire competition. 

Unbowed by his gaffe in allowing Portugal to net a second, the Real Sociedad man stood tall throughout the match to cover a worryingly shaky defence. Even when captain Victor Cuesta was sent off in the dying seconds of the first half, Rulli remained a rock. 

Ten-man Argentina paradoxically came out for the second 45 minutes a better side despite the numerical disadvantage. Algeria started to loose some of their defensive shape in their zeal to grab a winner, and it proved their undoing. Just seconds after the restart, Correa latched on to Calleri's header and converted with a perfect finish to put his team ahead. 

Algeria then hit back with Sofiane Bendebka's equaliser, but once the numbers were evened out following Ayoub Abdellaoui's second yellow, only one winner looked likely. Calleri spurned a glorious opportunity from close range before redeeming himself with a goal to earn Argentina their first points of the competition. 

The provider? None other than the Albiceleste's first goalscorer, Correa, who fed the striker with an incisive pass to prove there is far more to his game than just hitting the back of the net. 

Gold-medal winners in 2004 and 2008, there are always heavy expectations on the Argentina team going into the Olympic Games. After losing to Portugal, those hopes looked misplaced; perhaps the disastrous build-up to the tournament had left the side shorn of the time and practice needed to form a coherent unit, in the Games where several teams have already made a strong case for medal consideration. 

But as always, the immense pride and heart of the Albiceleste team and their phenomenal individual talents go a long way to hide those collective limitations. Correa may not be Messi or Maradona, but the No. 10 showed against Algeria he has the skills to take centre stage in Rio. 

Lionel Messi is reportedly set to return to Argentina's national side after announcing his retirement from international football in June.

According to Argentinian newspaper Diario Ole (h/t Marca), new Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza is set to name the Barcelona star in his first Albiceleste squad on August 15 and will meet him "in the coming week" to confirm he will play.

Messi retired from the international arena following Argentina's penalty-shootout defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final, their third final defeat in as many years.

Bauza said: "I am imagining a national team which includes Messi. We're going to chat and see if he can continue with the commitment he has already shown to the national team."

He added the forward will still captain the side should he end his self-imposed exile from the national side: "He is the captain as he has earned it. I don't see why he wouldn't continue being so."

Messi became La Albiceleste's all-time leading goalscorer during the Copa, with 55 goals, scoring five and assisting four in a series of outstanding displays.

However, he failed to find the net in the final and subsequently missed a penalty in the shootout as Argentina fell at the final hurdle once again.

Many have urged the 29-year-old to reconsider his early retirement following the announcement, including Argentina legend Diego Maradona and the country's president Mauricio Macri (h/t Goal's Chris Davie).

While Argentina have a wealth of attacking talent to call upon in his absence, including Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi, Messi is something of a talismanic figure for the side and frequently brought the best out of his team-mates at the Copa with his sublime play.

If Bauza can convince him to return to international duty, his tenure in charge of Argentina will have gotten off to an excellent start indeed, one that bodes well for their hopes of finally achieving further success come the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Argentina national team has reportedly hired Sao Paulo FC manager Edgardo Bauza to succeed Gerardo Martino as its coach.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has yet to confirm the hire, but Goal's Daniel Edwards shared a statement from Sao Paulo about Bauza's departure: "Sao Paulo announce that [Bauza] has revealed he received and accepted on Monday evening an offer from the [AFA] to take over the national team. As a result, he will leave the post of coach of the Tricolor."

The 58-year-old has managed various club teams throughout South America. Most famously, he led LDU Quito to a Copa Libertadores title in 2008 and won the tournament again with San Lorenzo in 2014. In each case, it was the club's first triumph in the competition.

Argentine football writers Sam Kelly and Peter Coates weren't overly ecstatic with the hire but acknowledged that the AFA wasn't in a position to be picky:

As expected, Edgardo Bauza is the new Argentina manager. The best of the three (or four) options available, in my opinion.

— Sam Kelly (@HEGS_com) August 2, 2016

Edgardo Bauza is the new Argentina coach- perhaps the best of a depressingly poor shortlist

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) August 1, 2016

Bauza will have to tackle some difficult tasks as soon as he assumes coaching duties.

For one, he'll have to coax Lionel Messi back out of international retirement. The last few tournaments have illustrated how reliant on the Barcelona forward Argentina are. As many talented attackers as La Albiceleste have, the 29-year-old is the one player they can least afford to be without.

Of course, far more important are the chronic problems plaguing the AFA.

The 2014 death of former AFA president Julio Grondona has created a major power vacuum in the organization. Luis Segura, who replaced Grondona, was charged with fraud in June over his handling of television broadcasting rights.

Shortly thereafter, FIFA announced it had assumed control of the AFA in hopes of cleaning things up by the end of June 2017.

Bauza can only do so much to remedy the AFA's issues behind the scenes, and that dysfunction has bled on to the pitch, as evidenced by Messi's abrupt retirement.

Argentina sit third in 2017 World Cup qualification in South America through six games. They're only two points ahead of Brazil and Paraguay, who are sixth and seventh. The top four teams automatically advance to the World Cup, and the fifth-place team will face a two-legged playoff.

Argentina's place in the CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) standings is far from secure, and should the country miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1970, there's a good chance the AFA will be looking for another coach.

Argentina President Mauricio Macri doesn’t expect Lionel Messi to follow through with his international retirement, having insisted he is “sure” the Barcelona man will play for his country again.

In the aftermath of the Albiceleste’s loss to Chile on penalties in the final of the Copa America Centenario, Messi stated that he would be walking away from international football. However, Macri revealed at a conference in Idaho that he has spoken to the 29-year-old about the decision.

“I talked to him on the phone; I'm sure he will come back,” he said, per Adam Shergold of MailOnline. “He’s the best in the world.”

Additionally, at a function in Berlin, he suggested that Messi could be back again at the next FIFA World Cup. “We hope that Messi will be in Russia so that we can gain that revenge in the final,” he added, per the same source.

While Messi’s time with Barcelona has been a sequence of astounding successes, recent experiences with the national team have been heartbreaking.

This summer’s loss in the Copa America showpiece was the third major final in which the team have fallen short in two years. To make things even worse for Messi, he missed a penalty in the 2016 shootout and was noticeably distressed on the field after Chile trumped the Albiceleste for the second year in a row.

Although there has been criticism of Messi following the tournament exits, his performances for the national team have been exceptional down the years, and he broke Gabriel Batistuta’s goalscoring record for Argentina during the competition.

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe, he was the most effective attacking player at the Copa:

Most productive #CopaAmerica2016 players (hand in goals):
1. Messi
2. Vargas
3. Alexis
4. Dempsey
5. Lavezzi
=6. Vidal, E. Valencia, Higuain

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) June 28, 2016

It’s no great surprise that plenty are keen to get Messi back in the setup as soon as possible. As noted by Maximilian Heath of Reuters, supporters took to the streets of Buenos Aires to plead with the Barcelona man to change is mind.

Argentina icon Diego Maradona has also had his say on the issue. “He has to stay because he still has playing days ahead of him,” the former forward told La Nacion (h/t Paul Vinnell of Sky Sports). “He will go to Russia [2018 World Cup] in form to be world champion.”

Boca Juniors star Carlos Tevez, who has played alongside Messi for Argentina, thinks the player will also change his mind given time, per Bleacher Report UK:

Carlos Tevez isn’t giving up hope of Lionel Messi returning for Argentina 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/7AEwu5Fa5U

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 2, 2016

Should Messi decide to return to the international setup, it’d be a timely boost for the Argentine Football Association (AFA). 

Indeed, as reported by Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, not only has former head coach Gerardo Martino resigned from his post on the cusp of the Olympic Games, there was a bomb threat at the AFA headquarters and there have been stories gathering pace Argentina could be expelled from FIFA due to political intervention.

Messi’s decision did come at an emotional time for him, as once again he failed to make the final step with his team. But after receiving some flak for his efforts in the Albiceleste jersey, it seems a lot of the country has woken up to the fact that this team has gone so close on so many occasions because of the forward, not in spite of him.

The last ball Lionel Messi kicked in international football could be sold for €27,000 (£23,024), as its owner fears it being stolen if he keeps it.

Per BBC Sport, the Argentina superstar retired from playing for his national team last month after the Albiceleste lost a third major final in two years—they were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.

Messi was one of the Argentina players who missed from the spot, and he announced his decision to retire after the loss, which followed defeat to the same opposition in the 2015 Copa final and World Cup misery at the hands of Germany in 2014.

Per Marca, Chilean Pedro Vasquez has benefited significantly from Messi's decision to call it a day, as he caught the ball after the 29-year-old's miss, and he claims to have been offered a number of huge bids for the item, the highest being €27,000 (£23,024).

He said he is tempted to sell if the value keeps rising: "The truth is that if the ball becomes any more valuable, it would be a risk to have it in my house. I could sell it, it would depend on the circumstances. It is nice to have the ball, but if it keeps rising in price, I'll sell."

Vasquez may need to be quick about his decision to sell, as Messi is being urged from all corners to come out of retirement, with Argentina President Mauricio Macri recently saying he hoped the Barcelona forward would be at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, per Sport.

Gerardo Martino has stood down as the manager of the Argentina national team, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

As reported by Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, the 53-year-old’s decision comes after the national team suffered its third loss in a major final in as many summers; Argentina were beaten by Chile in the recent climax of the Copa America Centenario in the United States, prompting the international retirement of star man Lionel Messi.

"A bomb threat saw the AFA headquarters evacuated seven days ago, while there are reports that the two-time World Cup winners could be expelled from FIFA," added Malyon. "World football's governing body are concerned over political intervention at the AFA, who in turn have rejected the authority of FIFA's regulatory committee."

Malyon added it is unlikely there will be a replacement appointed any time soon due to the ongoing tension with the AFA.

It’s been an agonising time to be a follower of Argentine football. After they lost the final of the FIFA World Cup against Germany in extra time in 2014, there was a chance for immediate redemption at the 2015 Copa America; the team lost to Chile in a penalty shootout in the final, though, a scenario that was recently repeated.

Martino was in charge for the two Copa losses, having stepped into the position vacated by Alejandro Sabella in 2014.

During his tenure, there have been some memorable performances. In the semi-finals of the last two continental competitions, Argentina won 6-1 against Paraguay in 2015 and 4-0 against the United States in 2016. Messi, in the main, also performed well under his guidance, finishing the recent Copa with five goals.

As noted by Argentine football expert Sam Kelly, Martino actually fared well in competitive matches, extra time and penalties aside:

Good point: for all the criticism, Martino lost one competitive match as ARG boss. Shame about the penalties... https://t.co/LSdPemkjs2

— Sam Kelly (@HEGS_com) July 5, 2016

Since Messi indicated his intention to move away from the international scene, Argentina supporters have staged protests in the country’s capital Buenos Aires in an attempt to convince him to change his mind. Albiceleste legend Diego Maradona also pleaded with the Barcelona man not to stand down in an interview with La Nacion (h/t Paul Vinnell of Sky Sports).

While the merits of Martino as a coach have been questioned, as noted by Onefootball, his decision to resign leaves Argentina rudderless:

First Messi, now Martino. Argentina are left without their captain and without a head coach. What next for them?

— Onefootball (@Onefootball) July 5, 2016

Whoever takes over from Martino will have a clutch of quality players to work with, despite the retirement of Messi and reports that Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano could follow suit.

Despite their Copa America Centenario heartbreak, Martino leaves Argentina in a decent position to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup; they’re in third place in the CONMEBOL table, two points behind Uruguay and Ecuador. World football's governing body also ranks Argentina as the best team on the planet.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is "sure" club team-mate Lionel Messi will reconsider his retirement from the Argentina national team after he stepped down after their Copa America Centenario final defeat.

Speaking in an interview with Uruguayan broadcaster Radio Tenfield, Suarez assured Messi will "change his mind" regarding his future with La Albiceleste (h/t beIN Sports):

Knowing Leo I'm sure he said it in a moment of sadness and helplessness.

It would be a shame for football if he takes this decision, but I'm sure he will reconsider and change his mind.

It is a difficult time. Everyone has the right to make their decisions and all are respectable. 

Whatever they say [he] will be the best player in the history of football.

Messi missed his spot-kick in the penalty-shootout defeat to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final before swiftly announcing his retirement from international football, having suffered similar disappointments in the past.

The former Argentina captain helped guide the team to the final of the 2014 World Cup, where they lost to Germany, before then taking his country to last year's Copa America final, again losing to Chile.

The 29-year-old's bitter reaction to a third major final defeat in the space of just two years appeared to take its toll on Messi, but Suarez seems certain this won't be the end of his days playing in blue and white.

Suarez isn't the only star striker who has voiced some defiance against Messi's choice; Argentina legend Diego Maradona recently told local newspaper La Nacion the Barca ace should reverse his decision (h/t BBC Sport):

Those saying he should quit don't want us to see what a disaster Argentinean football has become. 

Messi must go on. 

Messi has to stay because he will reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia in conditions to become world champion. 

The lads have to be supported more to help him take the team forward.

Despite all his achievements at club level and the individual awards that have come during his time with Barcelona, Messi's greatest international accolade remains his 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal.

South American broadcaster Juan Arango recently touched on the notion that individual greatness and international success don't necessarily correlate among great players:

https://twitter.com/JuanG_Arango/status/747899993705558017

Some have argued Argentina have come to rely too greatly on Messi since his emergence, but one would have to believe the team is better off with the star forward than without him.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner left a country reeling with the news of his early retirement, but having come to know the man since moving to the Camp Nou in 2014, Suarez believes Messi's Argentina career isn't over yet.  

Juventus star Paulo Dybala has been pushing insistently for a place in the Argentina side for the last 18 months at least. But the tricky Cordoba-born star could not have imagined that his great chance would arise thanks to what has become little short of a national tragedy for La Albiceleste. 

Lionel Messi has decided to cut short his international career at the age of 29. The disappointment of making it all the way to another major final, this time in the Copa America Centenario, and miss out on the trophy was too much for the Barcelona magician. 

This time Messi suffered the added indignation of blazing Argentina's first penalty of the shootout over the bar as Chile eventually ran out 4-2 winners.

"The national team is over for me, that's it," he fired to reporters after the match, and so far not even a phone call from Argentina President Mauricio Macri, per AFP (h/t Goal) or an incredibly moving letter from an Entre Rios teacher pleading with him not to quit, per the Wall Street Journal, seem able to move him. 

We must never say never. La Pulga may well return to the Albiceleste ranks at some point, possibly before the World Cup kicks off in Russia 24 months from now. But in the meantime Gerardo Martino and his depleted side must turn their attentions to life without Messi—and fortunately, the incredible production line of talent in the nation has thrown up a player who would surely be pushing 30 caps already in almost any other side in the world. 

Dybala, however, is Argentinian and a player who excites easy comparisons with Messi. Those similarities most likely explain why, despite starring in Italy for the last four seasons and winning the Scudetto during his first campaign with Juventus, he has only pulled on his national shirt three times.

What's more, he looks set to miss out on not just the Copa this summer but also the Olympic Games due to Argentina's stunning incompetence. 

In declining to pick La Joya in favour of China-based Ezequiel Lavezzi, Martino had included the youngster in his 35-man preliminary squad for Brazil this August, per ESPN FC. But Juventus had always maintained that he would not be allowed to compete in the Olympics and put their foot down in June to end any chance Dybala had of representing his country. 

"I’ve talked to the club, the directors and the coach [Max Allegri]," Dybala told TyC Sports (h/t Football Italia). "They considered all the circumstances, we are aiming to win the Champions League so they want everyone to have a good pre-season. Last season we didn’t have a good pre-season, and throughout the season there were 40 injuries. That’s why they want everyone to be available for the training camp."

The youngster also referred to his "idol" before the Copa America final, barely imagining that, just days later, he would be the prime candidate to step into his giant boots.

"Lionel Messi? He’s an example in every sense. He’s my idol, and it’s the same for many young Argentines," he said. 

"Being Argentina’s No. 9 isn’t easy, there’s a lot of competition, but of course I want to be there.

"Juventus have given me the opportunity to play a little further back and have more of a free role, but Tata Martino has told me he sees me more as a pure number 9, so I’ll try to earn my place."

Martino may have seen the former Instituto and Palermo man as a centre-forward before Sunday's bombshell, but he would do well to reconsider his tactics now.

Dybala is quick, immensely talented on the ball and has a venomous shot, and there is no reason why he cannot pick up the No. 10 mantle from La Pulga as Argentina look to bounce back from disappointment with a positive reply in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

A tough home clash against Uruguay on September 1 is followed by a trip to Venezuela five days later. Before 2016 is out, the Albiceleste will also visit Peru and Brazil as well as hosting Paraguay and Colombia. Those six matches will go a long way to deciding whether the nation will coast into a qualification place at Russia 2018 or whether a repeat of the agonising 2010 campaign is more likely. 

Ever since Dybala burst on to the scene at the tender age of 17 in Argentina's second-tier Nacional B, he has led his team with a maturity belying his years. He was Instituto's talisman as a teenager in 2011-12, as the Cordoba side enjoyed an electric campaign before just missing out on promotion behind fallen giants River Plate and Rosario Central. 

He then went on to form a fine partnership in the Sicilian capital with fellow Cordoba native Franco Vazquez and even took on the huge responsibility of replacing Carlos Tevez firmly in his stride. That calm under pressure will now be vital as he seeks to succeed possibly the only current Argentina star whose mystique outstrips even that of Carlitos. 

Diego Maradona, Ariel Ortega, Pablo Aimar, Juan Roman Riquelme and most recently Messi. Argentina have had an enviable line of talent over the last 30 years leading the team at No. 10. Now it is the turn of La Albiceleste's next great playmaker to show that his inclusion in the list is not mere hyperbole.

It will not be easy to replace a figure like the record-breaking Messi, but Dybala has the skills and, most importantly, the mental strength and confidence to become the Argentina orchestra's next great conductor. 

Follow Daniel on Twitter at @DanEdwardsGoal

Lionel Messi's retirement from international football has prompted quite a response from his fans in Argentina, with over 100,000 people reportedly set to march in the centre of Buenos Aires to persuade the Barcelona superstar to reverse his decision. 

According to Goal's Daniel Edwards, the Obelisco monument in Buenos Aires—where Argentina fans often congregate to celebrate success—has been named as the venue for the rally.

On the event's Facebook page (via Edwards), it reads: "This Saturday July 2 at 6 p.m. (10 p.m. BST) we are all going to the Obelisco to show him our affection and our hopes he will continue wearing the Argentina shirt. Come on Messi, don't give up on us!!!"

There has also been a statue of the diminutive forward unveiled in his country's capital, per Bleacher Report UK:

Two days after Lionel Messi announces he’s quitting Argentina, he has a statue unveiled in Buenos Aires. pic.twitter.com/UDJpFR0w2n

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 28, 2016

Per BBC Sport, Messi, 29, announced his retirement from the Argentina national side following their 2016 Copa America final defeat to Chile in a penalty shootout on Sunday.

It is his third major final defeat with Argentina in as many years, following 2015's Copa America loss—also to Chile on penalties—and 2014's World Cup final defeat to Germany in Brazil.

Messi was also on the losing side to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final, the year before he claimed his only significant silverware with La Albiceleste, an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

By contrast, he has won many trophies with club side Barca over the last decade—eight La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues and three FIFA Club World Cups—while carving out a deserved reputation as the best player on the planet.

It has never translated into glory on the international stage, though, and despite the calls from his compatriots for him to continue playing for Argentina, it is unlikely Messi will return after falling so agonisingly short so consistently.

After the painful interlude of the Copa America Centenario, the long slog to the Russia World Cup resumes for Argentina. But the team that takes up the qualifying mantle may look rather different to the line-up that fell just short in New Jersey days ago. 

There is little time for the Albiceleste to lick their wounds following Sunday's penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile. Nor do Gerardo Martino's men have much margin to settle back into action after such an emotional roller coaster in the United States. 

On September 1, Uruguay await in Mendoza's Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. Do not be fooled by the Celeste's pitiful showing in the Copa. Coach Oscar Tabarez had made it abundantly clear that the tournament was not a priority for his team; all eyes are focused on making 2018. 

Uruguay currently lead the World Cup standings after six games, having picked up 13 points so far in a strong start to the gruelling competition. Argentina have recovered from a poor opening but still lie two points back in third. And there is one crucial difference between the two great Rioplatense rivals. 

While the leaders will welcome back Luis Suarez to the fold, fit and raring to go having been unable to see action in the U.S., the Albiceleste face their biggest rebuilding operation in a generation and little time to see it through. 

The biggest absence barely needs mentioning. Lionel Messi's tearful retirement just hours after the curtain had closed on the final at the MetLife Stadium leaves a gaping hole in the middle of Argentina, who in one stroke lost both their best player by far and their captain. With five goals and four assists at an injury-shortened Copa America, Messi is at the height of his powers. 

The reaction to his retirement is telling. The great Diego Maradona publicly stated Messi must continue: "Messi has to stay in the national team. He will go to Russia in form to be world champion," he told La Nacion (per Goal). Even the President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, weighed in, calling the now-former captain minutes after he stepped off the plane on Monday evening to plead with him to stay, as Goal reports. 

But Messi's decision may go further than mere footballing considerations. His anger with the Argentine Football Association boiled over during the tournament with a rare outburst, calling the organisation a "disaster" via Instagram. Since the final, the resignation of president Luis Segura and even a bomb threat at the AFA's Viamonte headquarters barely point to a body which has its house in order. 

Indeed, Leo may be just the highest profile of the Argentine exodus. Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano, two cornerstones of the national team for the past six years, are also considering walking away from the Albiceleste after yet another final disappointment. "There are several players like me, who are evaluating whether or not to continue," Aguero told Ole (per Daily Mail). 

Martino at least will be staying put, for now. The coach's attentions turn to the Olympic Games, which, in the current situation, take on even more importance. Argentina's young stars will not just be playing for the gold medal in Brazil—they may well be auditioning for a part in the new-look national team for the coming future. 

A root-and-branch renewal of the Seleccion is overdue. It should have taken place after the 2014 World Cup final defeat, if not for Martino's commitment to keep faith with the generation of players that had battled under Alejandro Sabella. 

Come 2015, and yet another final reverse, the trainer once more postponed his spring cleaning. Argentina came straight off the plane from Santiago with their mind on the start of World Cup qualifying, and the Copa America Centenario on the horizon served as another reason to keep the same squad together two years past their sell-by date. But now, it cannot be avoided. 

Players such as Paulo Dybala and Angel Correa have long been demanding a place in the team by virtue of their performances in Europe; likewise, Erik Lamela, who did break into the squad for the 2016 Copa but was sparingly used despite his cracking season at Tottenham. 

Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, defender Mateo Musacchio, midfield talents Leo Paredes and Matias Kranevitter (and even the ostracised Mauro Icardi) alongside Dybala and Correa and more represent the Albiceleste's future in Russia. Those seven players have seen their appearances in international colours severely restricted, if they have featured at all, as Martino's conservative squad selections created a bottleneck of talent underneath the tried and tested faces. 

Now, however, the coach has no option but to experiment and bring through the next generation. It is a blow, of course: Any team that lose the services of a superstar like Messi cannot possibly benefit. But it is also a fantastic opportunity for the nation. 

Argentina's senior team has for the best part of a decade been based on the Golden Generation of 2005 and 2007, which delivered back-to-back World Cups at under-20 level. But it is time for a new generation to get its chance. The road to the Russia World Cup will not be easy without Messi and Co., but there is more than enough ability to form another great side in the absence of those outgoing legends.