{
  "id": 9279454,
  "title": "Argentina: ‘We’ll have to do it’ – Lionel Messi’s replacement, Mastantuono speaks out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/argentina-well-have-to-do-it-lionel-messis-replacement-mastantuono",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T05:28:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/23/argentina-well-have-to-do-it-lionel-messis-replacement-mastantuono-speaks-out/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The prospect of Lionel Messi's departure from the Argentina national team has prompted a candid statement from his potential replacement, Franco Mastantuono. The Fiorentina forward has expressed his sorrow at the prospect of playing without his idol, describing it as a difficult experience. This will mark Argentina's first time without Messi since 2005, with Mastantuono set to fill the void left by the forward. The 19-year-old is viewed as one of the promising talents poised to shape Argentina's future. Mastantuono recognized that the forthcoming international break will be emotionally charged as the national team prepares to honor their captain. He acknowledged the immense difficulty that lies ahead for everyone, given Messi's status as a national idol, not just in football. Despite this, Mastantuono emphasized the necessity of moving forward for Argentina and for Messi himself. The current Fiorentina player, Mastantuono plays in the same position as Messi and aims to secure a spot in Lionel Scaloni's squad post-Messi's exit. Argentina's next fixture is an international friendly against Bolivia, scheduled for September 30, 2026.",
  "summary": "The prospective successor to Lionel Messi in the Argentina national team, Franco Mastantuono, has lamented the departure of the football legend from the Albiceleste. The Fiorentina forward stated that seeing Argentina play without Lionel Messi would be a sorrowful experience. Argentina are poised to begin an era without Messi for the first time since 2005, […] Argentina: ‘We’ll have to do it’ –…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Argentina players urge coach Lionel Scaloni to stay amid contract talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/argentina-players-urge-coach-lionel-scaloni-to-stay-amid-contract-9188895",
        "published": "2026-09-22T19:44:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Argentina players urge coach Lionel Scaloni to stay amid contract talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/argentina-players-urge-coach-lionel-scaloni-to-stay-amid-contract",
        "published": "2026-09-22T19:45:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}