Scaloni once again led the Argentine national team to another victory
Lionel Scaloni has now established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the “Albiceleste”.
He has now established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the “Albiceleste”. It was only a few months after winning the 2022 World Cup that Lionel Scaloni had reached the point of seriously considering the possibility of leaving the Argentine national team.
The most characteristic moment of his career remains the night of the final against France in Qatar. According to testimonies from footballers and his collaborators, the last speech before kick-off was particularly emotionally charged.
Scaloni had difficulty finishing his words, with emotion dominating the locker room. Despite the intense atmosphere, his players believe that he managed to convey in his own way the message he wanted before the most important match in Argentina's modern history.
Although winning the World Cup made him a national hero, he later revealed that he had experienced a difficult personal period. In November 2023, immediately after the victory over Brazil in the qualifiers, he caused a sensation when he publicly declared that he needed time to think about his future on the national team bench.
As he later explained, he no longer enjoyed the daily routine of his job and felt the need to evaluate the situation. He believed that the federal coach must be at the absolute level of mental and psychological readiness, something that at that time he believed that he could not guarantee. In the end, he remained in his position and was completely justified.
Under his guidance, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, creating one of the most successful streaks in the history of the National Team.
Since 2018, Scaloni has built a team with a clear competitive identity, maintaining a balance between discipline and personality management. He did not hesitate to make significant changes during the 2022 World Cup, including key players such as Enzo Fernandez, Alexis McAllister and Julian Alvarez after the defeat by Saudi Arabia. Choices that proved decisive for the path to the top.
Today, the biggest challenge he faces is managing the day after Angel Di Maria's departure from the national team. Thiago Almada seems to be one of the main options to fill the void, but the issue is not considered definitively resolved. The successes of the Argentine national team have sparked interest in Lionel Scaloni, a coach who was met with intense distrust at the beginning of his tenure.
Characteristic was the harsh criticism he received from Diego Maradona, who had stated that he "can't even direct traffic". Today, however, Scaloni is now ranked alongside Cesar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo, the only Argentine national coaches to have led the country to victory in a World Cup.
The Scaloni Method
In the documentary “The Scaloni Method”, psychologist Fabian Khalife attempts to sketch the personality of the Argentine coach, describing him as a man who combines emotional closeness with discipline. “What has impressed me most is his sensitivity. I grew up watching Menotti, Bilardo and Basile, in an era where the model of the tough and distant leader dominated. Scaloni represents something different. He is a deeply emotional man, who does not hesitate to get emotional, to cry and to openly express his feelings”, he states characteristically.
This human side of Scaloni has been seen repeatedly in recent years. Last March, the Argentine coach could not hold back his tears when young striker Joaquín Paniquel suffered a serious injury with a torn cruciate ligament, in a moment that once again highlighted the emotional connection he maintains with his players.
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece).
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