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Argentina’s fortunes at the 2026 World Cup have been spectacular so far, largely thanks to Lionel Messi’s brilliance. The superstar already has five goals to his name, which is a dream scenario for the defending champions. However, the worrying part is that none of his teammates have managed to find the net yet. Of course, Argentina’s strategy was always going to revolve around Messi. As football icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic remarked on Fox Sports, “Messi isn’t just Argentina’s best player. He’s Argentina’s system.”

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has constructed his side around the veteran maestro, and the results speak volumes. The Albiceleste have lifted back-to-back Copa America titles and now appear poised to chase a second consecutive World Cup. Consequently, there’s been little debate in Argentina about continuing to rely on their ageing attacker during what could be his final major tournament.

Messi, however, is unlike Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s not merely another member of Scaloni’s squad. After years of scrutiny regarding his leadership, the diminutive No.10 has grown immensely in stature over the past five years. Today, he stands as Argentina’s undisputed leader — not only a provider of goals and assists but also the team’s heartbeat. As Ibrahimovic eloquently said, he’s “the reason every teammate steps onto the pitch believing the impossible is possible.”

Ibrahimovic further added, “Greatness is not when everything depends on you. It’s when everyone becomes better because you’re there.” Yet the burning question remains — what happens when Messi isn’t there? With the knockout stages approaching, that question looms large over Argentina. Saturday’s match against Jordan might offer a few clues.

Scaloni’s Crucial Test

On paper, the upcoming clash in Arlington might seem irrelevant. Thanks to Messi’s heroics against Algeria and Austria, Argentina have already clinched the top spot in Group J. As a result, the outcome won’t affect their round of 32 opponents. However, this supposedly inconsequential fixture carries significance for Scaloni. The trip to Texas could heavily influence the confidence and rhythm of Messi’s attacking partners before Argentina’s next match in Miami, where they are set to face the Group H runners-up — currently Uruguay.

Will Messi Be Rested?

Although Messi currently leads the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot — one of the few accolades missing from his trophy cabinet — expectations are that the captain will be given a much-needed and well-earned rest in Texas. Despite his dazzling performances, Messi entered the tournament under fitness concerns. Inter Miami had revealed on May 25 that he was struggling with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, raising doubts about his ability to handle eight gruelling matches in five weeks.

Therefore, starting the 39-year-old for the third time in 11 days would be risky. Instead, it may be time for young Nico Paz to step up.

Paz’s Big Chance

Owned by Real Madrid, Nico Paz demonstrated his immense potential during his loan spell at Como last season. The youngster, who recently recovered from a minor injury, could gain valuable experience and confidence with game time against Jordan. This match presents an ideal opportunity for him to display his creativity and composure — qualities that could prove vital later in the tournament.

For Scaloni, however, the primary goal in Arlington will be clear: scoring without Messi. That responsibility will likely fall on Lautaro Martinez and/or Julian Alvarez.

Lautaro’s World Cup Redemption

Lautaro Martinez played a pivotal role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, converting the decisive penalty in the tense quarterfinal against the Netherlands — famously dubbed ‘The Battle of Lusail’. Yet he failed to score from open play throughout the tournament. Scaloni’s decision to replace him with Alvarez up front proved to be a turning point in Qatar.

While Lautaro acknowledges that winning the World Cup was “collectively, something great, something that will go down in history,” he has admitted to personal disappointment, feeling that injuries prevented him from contributing more. “I didn’t leave Qatar the way I wanted to because I didn’t make it to the World Cup the way I wanted to,” the Inter Milan captain told TyC Sports recently. “But today I have.”

Despite starting both matches against Algeria and Austria — and winning a penalty in the latter — Lautaro remains goalless in World Cup play after eight appearances across two editions. Scaloni might keep faith in him against Jordan, hoping he finally ends his drought.

Alvarez’s Time to Prove Himself

Reports suggest that Julian Alvarez is the frontrunner to lead the attack, even though there are concerns about his fitness and focus as he seeks a potential move away from Atletico Madrid. The forward has been managing an ankle injury that cut short his club season and looked far from his sharpest when he squandered a golden chance from a Messi through-ball late in the win over Austria.

Fortunately, Messi was there to tidy up the play, sealing the result with his second goal of the match. Yet such dependence on the captain highlights Argentina’s pressing issue — they cannot continue to rely solely on their talisman to deliver every time.

Ending the ‘Messi Dependence’

The term ‘Messi-dependencia’ — coined during his Barcelona era — captures both the greatness of Messi and the shortcomings of those around him. Argentina’s challenge now is to ensure that their attack doesn’t collapse in his absence. The hope is that Lautaro overcomes his mental block on the biggest stage, while Alvarez focuses his energy on scoring for Argentina rather than contemplating his club future mid-tournament.

Messi remains a phenomenon — a master orchestrator capable of carrying Argentina’s offensive burden almost single-handedly. However, if either Lautaro or Alvarez can shoulder even part of that load, the world champions’ path to glory will become far less precarious.