Is Argentina Prepared For Life Without Lionel Messi?: 'Nobody Will Be Ready'

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Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico has admitted "nobody will be ready" for Lionel Messi's retirement as speculation grows around a romantic Barcelona return.

The Lyon full-back, currently on international duty, reflected on Messi's emotional Camp Nou visit and spoke about Argentina's World Cup ambitions while hinting at uncertainty over whether the Inter Miami star could play again for the Blaugrana.

Few players have been closer to witnessing Messi’s enduring greatness than Tagliafico. As La Albiceleste prepare for their friendly against Angola, the Lyon defender spoke candidly about what Messi’s eventual farewell could mean for world football and why nobody, not even his teammates, can imagine the day he finally walks away.

The 38-year-old's recent midnight visit to Barcelona’s newly renovated Camp Nou reignited talk of a short-term return to his boyhood club. The Inter Miami star, currently in the MLS off-season, shared an emotional post about "missing the place with his soul," leading fans to dream of one last dance in Catalonia.

Tagliafico, though, admitted even Argentina’s dressing room remains uncertain about Messi’s next move or when the inevitable end will come.

In an interview with Radio La Red, the former Ajax star spoke with both admiration and melancholy when asked about Messi’s possible retirement: "He’s been playing in Argentina for 20 years. It’s completely unusual. Nobody will be prepared for when Leo is gone. He’ll decide when he’s no longer there. Maybe once he stops playing, he’ll stay on the coaching staff or have some role with the national team."

Turning to Messi’s surprise Camp Nou appearance, Tagliafico confessed that the squad were caught off guard by the images shared