Lionel Scaloni names first Argentina squad after Lionel Messi steps down

Argentina prepare for upcoming friendlies without Lionel Messi, starting a brand new era for punters.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 3 November 2026

Lionel Scaloni has officially announced his latest Argentina squad for upcoming international fixtures. This marks a massive turning point for the national team because superstar Lionel Messi is no longer part of the setup. Bettors must now rethink how they assess Argentina in the outright markets.

New era for backers

Punters who regularly back the world champions now face a very different reality on matchday. Without their talisman on the pitch, goalscoring numbers and overall team dominance might change significantly. Bookmakers will monitor how the team adapts during these friendlies.

Upcoming friendly fixtures

The squad travels to play both Uruguay and Costa Rica this month. These matches give punters a first real look at how Scaloni plans to set up his attack. Markets for these specific fixtures could see some interesting price shifts as traders figure out the new starting lineup.

Market implications

Prices on Argentina to win future tournaments might drift slightly while the team finds its feet without their former captain. On the other hand, generous odds could tempt value seekers who believe the younger generation is ready to step up immediately. Sharp bettors will watch the early friendlies very closely before placing bigger bets.

Squad changes always create short term uncertainty for odds compilers and punters alike. Watching team selections and tactical setups in these friendlies will dictate the best betting strategy moving forward.

What it means for a bet

Expect longer odds on Argentina matches while the market adjusts to life without Lionel Messi.

Carry on from here

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