Lorient U19 Overview

Argentina and Portugal have begun the post-Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era in a similar fashion, with both sides losing their first match following the international retirements of the two captains, in a scene that highlights the scale of the challenge awaiting the two giants.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has called for patience after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in their first major outing since Lionel Messi’s retirement. The match was played in front of a noticeably sparse crowd at La Bombonera, marking a stark contrast to the usual atmosphere surrounding the world champions.

The new era for Argentina’s national team without Lionel Messi gets off to a bad start. At La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, half-empty for the occasion, the Albiceleste lose a friendly against Uruguay in Scaloni’s side’s first outing since Lionel Messi’s retirement from the Seleccion.

Argentina suffered a disappointing defeat to Uruguay in their first match of the post-Lionel Messi era, which also came after the renewal of coach Lionel Scaloni's contract until 2030, as they fell at the Bombonera stadium in an encounter that lacked excitement and the technical level expected, with the exception of the uprising led by Prestianni during the final minutes.