Lionel Scaloni caused quite a stir with the prospect of leaving the world champion Argentina. It was heard that Messi’s coach wants to resign due to a conflict with the president of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA), Claudio Tapia.
But there was talk of staying at least until the Copa America. Now Skalani himself stopped all the rumours. Gave great news! He said, he is not going anywhere! The fans of Albiceleste survived as if they had left the half through this.
Argentina faced Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at the Mercana. After defeating the arch-rivals, Scaloni’s announcement of immediate resignation disappointed the blue-white jersey holders that day.
However, on exactly when he will step down from the world champions, he said – ‘He needs some time off, he needs to think more about it.’ Scaloni was then rumored to not be in the Copper draw either. Although in the end his entire coaching staff and AFA President Tapia also went to the event.
Tapia-Scaloni has been scheduled to meet several times since then, but that time has been repeatedly pushed back. Finally, a few days ago, the two sides sat at the negotiating table, according to Argentine media TYC Sports. It is known that Scaloni’s meeting with President Tapia took place during the planning of Argentina’s visit to China in March.
Where the future of the coach is also discussed. Later, Tapia shared a photo of the two taken during that meeting on his social media account.Scaloni’s hesitation to step down is assumed to be over, with Tapia adding the hashtag Scaloneta-Medon, “Nice to meet you, Gringo!”
I’ve always said it’s time to stop and think. It wasn’t goodbye. There were only reflections of that moment. Now we must continue
The country’s journalist Gaston Edul also said on social media that Scaloni will remain in charge at least until the Copa America. Official announcement will come soon.
Meanwhile, in an interview given to Sky Sports, Scaloni said that it was not a farewell. He said not to think about these things now and said that he will continue as a coach in the future. He commented, ‘I’ve always said it’s time to stop and think. It wasn’t goodbye. There were only reflections of that moment. Now we must continue.’
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Scaloni also talked about how long Messi will play in the Argentina team, ‘Leo (Messi) will continue until he thinks of something else. He is enjoying his time on the field, that’s why he will continue (to play). We’ve always said he has to keep going until he can’t anymore. Because the time after (retirement) will be very difficult.’
Note that this year’s Copa America in the United States will start from June 20, the final on July 14. Before this, Argentina will visit China from March 18 to 26. Apart from playing a match with the hosts there, Lionel Messi will also play with a European team.
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Scalani, 45, took charge of Argentina in 2018. He did not have much exposure or experience as a coach till then. Later he made history for the team. Under him, Argentina got the taste of winning a major trophy after a long drought of 28 years.
After the 2021 Copa America, they ended the 36-year wait and won the 2022 World Cup. The team’s contract with Scaloni runs until 2026. It is assumed that he will handle Argentina’s dugout until the next World Cup.
