Scaloni confirms Lautaro Martinez in Argentina captaincy group after Messi retirement
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 27: Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Jordan and Argentina at Dallas Stadium on June 27, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Argentina national team head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Inter’s Lautaro Martinez will be among the main captaincy options after Lionel Messi’s upcoming international retirement.
Scaloni confirms Lautaro Martinez’s place in Argentina’s leadership hierarchy
Messi, 39, is set to bid farewell to international football in one last friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental on October 6 (local time) after leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, the 2026 final and two Copa America titles over the last 10 years.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will also be handing over the captain’s armband, which he has held onto for the last 15 years. Nicolas Otamendi, who was one of Argentina’s regular vice-captains, has also recently announced his international retirement.
Scaloni confirmed on Wednesday that Atletico Madrid centre-back Cristian Romero will serve as Messi’s successor as the Argentina national team captain and that Lautaro Martinez will now be among his deputies.
“The armband will go to Cuti Romero, who was next in the pecking order after Leo and Otamendi,” Scaloni confirmed (via Gianluca Di Marzio).
“The vice-captain will be Emiliano Martinez, followed by Lautaro Martinez as third choice.”
Martinez has been an Argentina international since 2018 and has already racked up 40 goals from 84 caps. He has also served as Inter’s permanent captain following the retirement of Samir Handanovic in the summer of 2023.
Argentina’s previous permanent captain was Javier Mascherano, who had the armband from 2008 until 2011 before the title was handed over to a 24-year-old Messi.
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