Emotion overwhelmed Lionel Scaloni. After Argentina’s 1-0 defeat against Spain in the World Cup final, the coach burst into tears during the press conference and was unable to conclude his statements.
Uncertain future
Amid sadness over the result, Scaloni questioned his permanence at the head of the Albiceleste. His contract ends in December of this year.
“I’m here until December, then it’s going to be complicated. It’s also fair that it can be changed. Until December and then I’ll probably stop. It’s fair.”
The strategist was also consulted about the future of Lionel Messi, who could have played his last game with the national team.
“I have not spoken with him. We have tried until the last moment to give our best as a coaching staff and the players, and I think it is fair that I can take this time and think about it.”
It was at that moment that his voice broke. When talking about his career, Scaloni could not hold back his tears.
“Let’s see if I stop. In my life, all the guys on the coaching staff think we’ll be in this place. So, to continue, a lot of things are needed, to reset and re-form a group like this, which is difficult to form again. And it hurts me, it hurts my soul. I’m sorry.”
After these words, Scaloni stood up and ended the conference, while the journalists applauded him.
An era of success
Scaloni took over as interim coach of Argentina after the failure in the 2018 World Cup, when the team fell in the round of 16. Despite initial criticism for not having the resume of figures like Simeone or Pochettino, he achieved two Copa América titles and a World Cup.
That success ended a streak of frustrations that included Messi’s brief resignation in 2016.
Scaloni reiterated that he needs time to reflect: “This place is wonderful.”
