“It has been a moment of reflection”

Lionel Scaloni confirmed that he will continue to be the coach of the Argentine National Team. This was expressed in an interview for Italian TV, in which he put an end to the uncertainty that arose after his explosive press conference on November 21, at the Maracaná stadium, after his team’s last match in the Qualifiers.

“There was talk (about the topic), but I always told the truth. There were moments to think and know what to do. This was not a farewell or anything like that. I was thinking about how he continues in the National Team,” said the coach for the Sky signal. Sports, speaking in Italian.

And he concluded, mentioning these two months of doubts, talks and versions: “The moment is also to give space to young people and for us it is important. It has been a moment of reflection.”

Another of the good news that Scaloni left in his talk with Italian television was about Messi: “He will continue in the National Team until he says otherwise. I think he will continue above all because he is happy on the field,” said the coach, who He doesn’t even want to think about the day that the 10th says goodbye to football. “For him it will be even more difficult, but for everyone it will be hard not to see him on the field again,” he said.

Scaloni said that it continues but did not say until when, a question that was not asked during the interview with the Italian media.

Immediately, Scaloni has two friendly matches ahead of him with the National Team in the month of March that will be played in China, with rivals to be confirmed.

They will be the rehearsals prior to the start of the Copa América 2024, scheduled for the month of June in the United States and where Argentina will seek to defend the title obtained in 2021.

After this tournament with a 16-team format (the ten teams from Conmebol plus six from Concacaf play), the Qualifying dates await Argentina with the horizon already set for the 2026 World Cup, again in North America.

And the Paris 2024 Olympic Games? Javier Mascherano, coach of the Under 23 National Team that is competing in the Pre-Olympic, said that it would be good for Scaloni to lead the team in the Olympic event. And the ultimate dream would be that Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María are playing alongside him. To do this you would first have to classify, of course.

Although from the AFA, with Claudio Tapia at the helm, there was confidence that Scaloni would continue in the National Team, the word of the world champion coach was missing to put an end to the question.

Two months and a handful of days have passed since Scaloni dropped the bomb at the Maracaná stadium, after Argentina’s historic 1-0 victory against Brazil with a goal from Nicolás Otamendi. It was an unforgettable night because the Canarinha had never lost in their history in the Qualifiers at home, but it left a bitter taste minutes after the game and with the man from Pujato in front of the microphones.

“Now it’s time for something important that I want to say…”, the DT began by saying to cut with that eight-letter phrase what until then was euphoria and joy.

“Stop the ball, start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about right now,” said the coach. And he continued: “These players have given me a lot, to me and to the entire coaching staff. I need to think a lot about what I am going to do.”

“This is not a goodbye or anything else but I need to think because the bar is very high. It is difficult to continue and continue winning. These guys make it difficult. I will tell the president, I will tell the players later. Because this National Team needs a coach who has all the possible energy and who is well,” said Scaloni.

No sooner said than done. Scaloni thought about and held many intimate meetings with important names of the National Team, but he also allowed himself a good family vacation to turn the page that Qatar 2022 meant.

In these weeks he spent time in the country and continued to feel the affection of the people a year after the feat in the Middle East, although the message he received now was not only of gratitude but also to continue.

At the time of the New Year, a meeting with Lionel Messi was announced that ultimately did not happen or at least was not made public. Scaloni was in Pujato and Leo in Rosario, a few kilometers away. The back and forth with the 10 has to do with something that obsesses the coaching staff: the need to have the players in optimal physical and mental condition for what is to come.

It will be essential to see the names of Scaloni’s first call for the tour of Asia, in which he will continue to carry out a necessary replacement “because the bar is very high”, as the coach warned.