Lionel Messi Argentina replacements: How Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Julian Alvarez compare

The day that nobody wanted will soon be upon us, with Lionel Messi set to call time on his career with the Argentinian national team.

After 207 caps, the 39-year-old is set to make one final appearance for La Albiceleste in the early hours of Wednesday, when his side take on Benin in a friendly.

Messi will retire from the national team having won the 2022 World Cup, reached the 2014 and 2026 World Cup finals, while also claiming two Copa America titles.

He managed to score 125 times and provide 65 assists during his time with Argentina, the best returns of any player for Argentina, and his retirement will leave boss Lionel Scaloni with a major headache when it comes to finding Messi's replacement.

There is hope that younger stars like Nico Paz of Como or Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono could take a significant step forward in their development over the coming years.

However, it would be understandable if Scaloni felt that he needed a more established star such as Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez to lead the line on a consistent basis.

Here, FootballWhispers takes a look at who should replace Messi for Argentina.

Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Julian Alvarez: Who should replace Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi was a statistical anomaly, with the Inter Miami star capable of influencing play in deep midfield, as well as in the final third.

No individual will be as creative, as threatening or as influential as the veteran, but all three of the aforementioned players have aspects of their play that could make them the right one to build around in a post-Messi world.

Paz is arguably the most creative of the trio, with the 22-year-old able to operate in small spaces on the right side of attack and deliver balls into the box.

Interestingly, the Como star has averaged 5.8 shots per 90 in Serie A so far this season, more than Alvarez in La Liga (5.42) and more than Mastantuono (5.24), who is on loan at Fiorentina.

It is somewhat surprising that Alvarez has failed to find the back of the net in La Liga given he primarily plays in central areas, but while Paz (0.21) and Mastantuono (0.71) have averaged more goals per 90 in their respective league campaigns, the Atletico Madrid striker may end 2026-27 with the highest goal tally.

Argentina will need someone capable of replacing Messi's output, and despite his struggles this term, Alvarez could be the one to nail down a starting spot, with the 26-year-old by far the most experienced of the trio.

The Atletico forward has been a key member of the squad for some time, though he has not always been seen as a guaranteed starter for Scaloni.

However, Mastantuono is arguably the most talented of the three stars, and while the 19-year-old needs more time to develop, he may be the future face of the national team.