Dhaka, Oct. 7 -- Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, said that no one could take the place of Lionel Messi, speaking through tears after a 3-0 victory over Benin that marked Messi's departure from the national team.

For Scaloni, who won four major titles with Messi as his captain, the partnership was more than he had hoped for.

"It was truly like a dream come true," he said. "I never thought I could be the coach of the best player in history."

His voice grew heavy as he went on. "We will be grateful to him forever for giving us the chance to be with him," he said.

"My eyes are watering, because there is so much going through my head right now," he said. "It will hurt not to see him anymore."

Under Scaloni, with Messi leading the team,...