Broken, Scaloni doubted whether he will continue in the selection: "It hurts my soul, I'm sorry"

Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine national team coach, expressed uncertainty about his future after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Speaking during a press conference held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Scaloni broke down in tears and questioned whether he would continue leading the team beyond his current contract, which runs until December. “It hurts my soul, I’m sorry,” he said, before leaving the press room. His emotional response came after a long and heartfelt address in which he acknowledged the immense pressure of coaching the team to victory. Scaloni was asked directly if he would remain with the squad, and he responded with a mix of gratitude and doubt. “I feel the need to think because I don’t know if I’ll be able to achieve something as big as this,” he said. He thanked the Argentine Football Association president for giving him the opportunity to lead the team. “It’s fair that I take this time to think,” he added. The emotional weight of the moment was evident as Scaloni struggled to hold back tears, expressing how much the achievement meant to him and his coaching staff. Three hours later, Scaloni returned to speak with journalists again, reaffirming that he would stay through December and then take a break. “It will be very difficult. Until December, I’ll be here, and then I’ll take some rest. It’s fair,” he said. Scaloni has been with the team since August 2018, guiding them to multiple titles including the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Finalissima. Despite these successes, the loss to Spain marked the end of a remarkable cycle, one that had brought Argentina close to another historic triumph. Before the final, Scaloni reflected on the match, acknowledging Spain’s superiority while expressing deep respect for his players. “We gave everything; we are great in victory and also in defeat, and today we have to show that we know how to lose,” he said. He praised the team’s resilience, noting their efforts throughout the tournament. “They’ve been better than us. We lost the game, and we accepted it,” he added. Scaloni also emphasized the difficulty of reaching such a high level, calling it a “huge challenge.” He analyzed several factors that contributed to the loss, including key injuries to defenders Lisandro Martínez and Cuti Romero, which forced three changes in defense. “The wear and tear was enormous,” he said. Scaloni also mentioned the controversial red card against Enzo Fernández, suggesting the referee could have avoided the initial yellow card. “If we had stayed with 11 men, maybe things would have turned out differently,” he said. Despite the disappointment, he remained proud of the team’s performance. “We fought until the end,” he said. Scaloni’s emotional state was palpable throughout the press conference. At times, he paused to compose himself, overwhelmed by memories of eight years of success and the unique bond he shared with his players. His words left many feeling that the chapter of his career with the national team might be coming to a close. Earlier in the day, Scaloni had received the bronze medal for second place, and despite the pain of defeat, he acknowledged the significance of the achievement. “This place is wonderful,” he said, adding that he had always dreamed of being here. His comments were met with mixed reactions. Some saw them as a sign of vulnerability, while others viewed them as a natural reflection of the emotional toll of managing a team that has consistently reached the pinnacle of international football. Scaloni’s future remains uncertain, though he has made it clear that he intends to step away temporarily. As the dust settles on a historic campaign, the focus shifts to what comes next, not just for the team, but for the man who led them to glory.