Hours after Argentina’s agonizing victory over Egypt that secured qualification for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Scaloni broke his silence and made a confession that shook those present in the press room. With a cracking voice and teary eyes, the coach from La Pampa opened up like rarely before: «That’s why I became a coach.»
The match, which ended 3-2 thanks to a penalty converted by Lionel Messi in stoppage time, had the Albiceleste on the brink of elimination. Scaloni did not shy away from analysis: «There were difficult moments, because we were losing, but I think the game was always on our side. Football has these things.» And then he let out the phrase that went around the world: «I became a coach to have these emotions, not because I like being a coach. I suffer just like all of you on the bench.»
The coach emphasized that what was experienced in the stadium is comparable to the team’s greatest feats: «The magnitude of today is comparable to many great things we have experienced.» He highlighted the squad’s character: «This is a team that, no matter what happens, keeps moving forward. In the end, football is this: tactics, strategy, but if you don’t have this fighting spirit, you’re eliminated.»
But the most impactful moment came when he spoke about Messi. The captain, who missed a penalty in the first half, asked for the ball to take the equalizer for 2-2 and did not miss. Scaloni got emotional remembering it: «I always get emotional. Sometimes the tears come. I told the guys on the bench to take him as an example. He could have said ‘I missed the penalty, it’s over,’ but he asks for it again and scores it. I get goosebumps.»
Tears also flowed in the locker room. Scaloni confessed that the group is more united than ever: «It’s something wonderful. Seeing Messi like this, the young guys… This is what makes it all worth it.» With qualification secured, Argentina awaits its quarterfinal opponent, but Scaloni’s message has already been etched: this team never gives up.
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Para mí esto huele a verso de zurdo. Scaloni se hace el humilde pero Messi es el único crack, el resto un desastre. Los patriotas bancamos la Selección, no los planeros. ¡Vamos Argentina carajo! KJJ
Para mí Scaloni llorando es de los nuestros, no como la FIFA vendida y los gorilas de siempre. Este técnico tiene huevos y bancó la locura como el pueblo. Messi es dios, pero acá se sufre en la cancha, no en los escritorios. Vamos Argentina carajo, la copa es de los pueblos, no de los chorros de siempre.