"Cela me fait mal à l'âme": l'entraîneur argentin s'effondre après la défaite finale

Lionel Scaloni, the head coach of Argentina, expressed uncertainty about his future with the national team following their 0-1 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The loss ended Argentina’s quest for a second consecutive World Cup title, marking a bitter end to a campaign that saw them fall just short of repeating history. Scaloni, who had led the team to victory in Qatar in 2022, appeared visibly emotional after the match, struggling to compose himself during post-game interviews. His comments suggested he might step down from the role once his current contract expires in December. Scaloni, who took charge of the Argentina squad in 2018, has enjoyed considerable success since then, guiding the team to two Copa América championships and a World Cup triumph. Despite the disappointment of losing to Spain, he acknowledged the immense challenges of managing such a high-profile team. “This job demands so much,” he said, adding that he would remain with the team until the end of his contract and then make a decision based on discussions with the Argentina Football Association president, Claudio Tapia. During a press conference held shortly after the final, Scaloni addressed questions about his potential departure. He confirmed that he would stay with the team until December, stating, “I’ll stay until December, and after that I’ll most likely step aside.” While expressing gratitude for the opportunity to coach Argentina, he emphasized that it would be fair for someone else to take over and continue the work. “It’s an incredible place, a dream,” he said. “Any Argentine would love to be here.” Scaloni’s emotional state was evident throughout the conversation. He described the loss as deeply personal, acknowledging the pain of watching the team fail to defend its title. “Losing hurts me in the soul,” he said, reflecting on the sacrifices made by players and staff throughout the tournament. He also highlighted the physical toll of the campaign, noting that injuries and exhaustion played a role in the team’s performance. “We had injuries in key positions that we weren’t expecting,” he said, adding that the players gave everything they could. Despite the heartbreak, Scaloni praised the unity among the players and the support from fans. “What I truly hope remains is this group spirit, this sense of unity between the players and the people,” he said. “I don’t think that feeling should ever be broken. It should last forever.” He also expressed admiration for the strength of the Spanish team, recognizing the difficulty of overcoming such a formidable opponent. Scaloni’s contract with the Argentina Football Association is set to expire at the end of the year, and while he has not yet decided his next steps, he has indicated that he will not rush into any decisions. “I will talk to the president,” he said. “I have an idea of what I would like to do. I will see out my contract and I feel the need, I don’t know if something as big can be done.” He added that rebuilding a team of the same caliber would be extremely challenging, requiring both mental and physical preparation. As the dust settles on the World Cup, Scaloni’s future remains uncertain. Whether he continues as Argentina’s coach or takes a different path will depend on further discussions with the association leadership. For now, he remains committed to seeing out his current term, hoping to provide closure to a season defined by both triumph and tragedy.