Sunday night was bitter for the Argentine national team. Spain took the World Cup after winning 1-0 in extra time, but what surprised most was what happened after the match. Lionel Scaloni, the world champion coach in 2022, broke down in the press conference and hinted that his cycle might be coming to an end.
With a choked voice and teary eyes, the coach from Pujato said: ‘I will talk to the president (Claudio Tapia). I will fulfill the contract (expires in December) and then I’ll see. I feel the need to think, because I no longer know if I can do something as great as this.’ The words fell like a bucket of cold water on those present. Is Scaloni’s farewell coming?
‘This place is wonderful, a dream,’ he added, before bursting into tears. ‘To continue, you need a lot of things, especially to reset again, to form a group like this that will hardly be formed again. It hurts my soul.’ The coach could not contain his emotion and left the room in tears, leaving everyone wondering about his future.
On the field, the match was an ordeal. Argentina arrived decimated by injuries: three forced changes in defense. ‘The wear and tear was enormous,’ Scaloni explained. ‘Spain was the rightful winner, we have to recognize that.’ Despite the defeat, the coach highlighted the commitment of his players, especially Nicolás Tagliafico, who played injured. ‘That is the DNA of this team,’ he emphasized.
He also had words for Lionel Messi, aged 39. ‘It’s incredible. I knew he would play as long as he wanted. He is the best footballer to ever set foot on a field, nothing will change that,’ he stated. Will Messi return? Scaloni does not know. ‘I didn’t talk to Leo,’ he confessed.
The red card for Enzo Fernández also sparked controversy. ‘I think the referee could have avoided the first yellow card,’ Scaloni opined, without wanting to go into detail. ‘It’s over, no reproaches.’
The truth is that the Argentine national team returns home with their heads held high, but with an uncertain future on the bench. Scaloni asked for time to think, and the entire country awaits his decision. Will it be the end of an era?
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Para mí Scaloni llorando es un papelón de zurdo sensible. La selección está llena de negros y extranjeros que no sienten la camiseta. Esto huele a excusa para rajarse después del fracaso contra España. Yo creo que se tiene que ir ya y dejar lugar a alguien con huevos.
Para mí, los que lloran son los mismos gorilas que le hicieron la vida imposible a Messi. Aguante Scaloni y la celeste y blanca, carajo! Dejalo pensar, que la derecha mileista se va a tener que bancar al Diego de vuelta. No se vaya, Lionel, que sin vos vuelve la mufa de los vendepatria.