Unexpectedly, renowned Argentine national soccer team manager Lionel Scaloni has expressed concerns over his extended stay in the role. Scaloni’s future is still unknown even after guiding his team to a string of spectacular successes, such as a Copa America championship and a victory over Brazil in a World Cup qualifier.
In a recent interview regarding his future, Scaloni said, “I’m still thinking about my decision. I am calmly thinking, how everything goes, whether to restart or what. “The players need a coach with all the desire and energy, at their level. I spoke to both Messi & Tapia, and I just need to think about it”.
🚨🇦🇷 Scaloni on his future: “I’m still thinking about my decision. I am calmly thinking, how everything goes, whether to restart or what”.
“The players need a coach with all the desire and energy, at their level”.
“I spoke to both Messi & Tapia, I just need to think about it”. pic.twitter.com/W0WSO7AGuS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 8, 2023
After Argentina defeated France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, Scaloni rose to fame in his native country. The joy was fleeting, though, as he voiced concerns about his future after defeating Brazil. Scaloni shocked not only the soccer community but even his players when he said he had a lot on his mind.
It has been reported that Scaloni’s tolerance for the Argentina Football Association (AFA) is running thin. While he, his staff, and the players are still waiting for their World Cup incentives, the contract extension procedures are taking a long time. It remains to be seen what happens next with Scaloni’s future.
Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni were involved in a recent conflict after the WC qualifying game
Now, during their World Cup qualification campaign for 2026, Lionel Scaloni is doubting his future after winning both the Copa America and the World Cup. Even with his recent achievements, he seemed to be reflecting on a difficult moment he had with soccer legend Lionel Messi during World Cup qualification.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible, and who is well,” Scaloni said after the win over Brazil. “I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time.” This situation seems to have gotten very tense for now between Scaloni and the AFA.
This might be the craziest football scene I have watched in years. Brazil vs Argentina ended violence. Players trying to calm down the fans. Insanitypic.twitter.com/7rbjzSpUVN
— CONTEXTUAL MEME (@Contextual_Meme) November 22, 2023
An instance of “tension” between Messi and Scaloni was reported by The Athletic in the run-up to the Brazil match. Messi took the initiative to lead his teammates off the field to return to the dressing room as the situation worsened and there was an outbreak of violence before the match.
The players’ reluctance to be manipulated as political playing cards in the upcoming national elections is adding to the tension, according to various reports. As a result, Scaloni and AFA’s relationship has further soured. It remains to be seen now how this story unfolds over the coming weeks/months.