Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, stunned the entire country after the defeat in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain. In the post-match press conference, the manager broke down in tears and cast doubt on his continuity at the helm of the team. «It hurts my soul, I’m sorry,» he said through tears, before getting up and leaving the room.
The question about his future came after he was asked about Lionel Messi, who played his last World Cup. «No, I didn’t talk to him,» Scaloni replied, visibly affected. Then, when asked about his contract, he expressed: «I feel the need to think because I don’t know if I’ll be able to do something as great as this again. I am grateful to the AFA president for giving me the opportunity to be where I am. I will fulfill my contract, but it’s fair that I can take this time and think about it.»
Hours later, Scaloni spoke to the press again and confirmed his doubts: «It’s going to be very difficult. I’ll be here until December, then I’ll take a break. Which is also fair.» The coach, who took over in 2018, won everything with the national team: two-time Copa América champion, world champion, Finalissima winner, and runner-up in this tournament after beating England 2-1 in the semifinals.
In his analysis of the match, Scaloni acknowledged Spain’s superiority and highlighted his players’ effort. «We gave everything; we are great in victory and also in defeat, and today we have to show that we know how to lose. I feel sadness. Eternal gratitude to these guys who gave us another World Cup final and competed until the end. They were better. We lost the match and we accept things,» he stated.
The coach also referred to the injuries that affected the team: «It’s clear that many negative things happened with injuries in key positions (Lisandro Martínez, Cuti Romero) that we didn’t expect. We had to make three changes in defense. The wear and tear was enormous.» Regarding Enzo Fernández’s red card, he noted: «I think the first (yellow card) could have been avoided by the referee. That’s it, no reproaches. But I would have liked to see what would have happened if we had stayed with 11.»
Scaloni also praised Messi, who at 39 played his last World Cup: «It’s an incredible thing. I hope people are proud of him, of what he does; he is the best footballer to ever set foot on a soccer field. What he did in this World Cup is incredible.»
The final match was played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Spain won 1-0 in the second half of extra time with a goal from Ferran Torres. Argentina resisted for almost two hours, even with one man less due to Enzo Fernández’s red card, but eventually conceded near the end. Emiliano Martínez in goal and Nicolás Tagliafico in defense stood out.
From the opening whistle, Spain dominated the match, controlling the ball and pressing. La Scaloneta could barely mount counterattacks. With one player less, the team held the draw until the end of 90 minutes and took the match to extra time. In the first half of extra time, Spain again set up near the Argentine area, but Martínez shone to deflect a cross from Pedri. A goal by Nico Williams was disallowed for a prior foul. The fatigue tipped the balance in the second half of extra time: Williams assisted Ferran Torres, who simply pushed the ball in to make it 1-0. Argentina sought the equalizer, but a volley from Giuliano Simeone went over the crossbar. In added time, crosses into the Spanish area did not find the equalizer.
Minutes before the press conference, Scaloni left a message of resilience: «If they leave everything like they did today, it’s a great example for the people and for our country. You have to get up again. When you leave everything like that, it’s very hard to reproach anything. These are moments to strengthen the country. You have to reset and start over.»
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che scaloni no te hagas el dolobu para mi la culpa la tienen los zurdos de mierda y los inmigrantes que nos arruinan el pais si no te bancas la presion rajá de una vez me parece que esto huele a cagazo de los politicos de siempre #PatriaOChaquetas
Para mí Scaloni llorar ahora es puro teatro, se vendió al sistema como todos. El fútbol es del pueblo, no de las corporaciones que te pagan en dólares mientras los laburantes se rompen el lomo. La selección es propaganda burguesa, fuiste un títere de la FIFA, me parece una farsa total.