Argentina's national football team, led by star player Lionel Messi, has been in top form this year, keeping the mystique of the Qatar 2022 world champions well alive. But as the year draws to a close, the author of the Albiceleste's success, Lionel Scaloni, has cast doubt over his future.
The Selección rounded off a successful season with an epic 1-0 victory over Brazil at the mythical Maracanã. Argentina are at the top of the World Cup South American qualifying group ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be played out across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
But minutes after securing the season's crowning glory, thanks to a late header from veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, a big shock arrived.
Without even being asked a question by the press, Scaloni shot out: “These players have given us a lot and I need to think hard about what I’m going to do. The bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going. This team needs a coach with all the possible energy."
The message was clear and within minutes, silence overcame the changing room where players were chanting and jumping for joy. Nobody knew beforehand that something was up.
A few weeks later, on December 7, the draw for the Copa América 2024, which will be hosted by the Untied States, took place. The enigma remained. Pushed by the press, Scaloni muttered: “There’s nothing strange going on, but I’m still thinking it over."
Clearly not all is well behind the scenes. Local reporters have offered a thousand versions of what has happened, on the state of Scaloni's mind and what will happen next. But nobody can say with any certainty what exactly is the source of the coach's conflict with the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Scaloni's performance as coach has been so strong that his name has become a reference for the team, which is now dubbed 'La Scaloneta' – a pun on his last name and the local word for a van.
Messi happy to continue – for now
While there are doubts about Scaloni's future, superstar skipper Lionel Messi shows no sign of giving up the armband or his playing career. He firmly remains the team's leader.
“This group is still achieving historic things. I’m getting ready for a great year," he said in a recent interview, insisting he would be around for the Copa América campaign.
Now aged 36, Messi will don the light-blue-and-white again next year in the regional tournament. Argentina's glorious run in recent years was kicked off in the 2021 Copa América, when the national side defeated hosts Brazil thanks to Ángel ‘Fideo’ Di María's winner. It was the win that kickstarted it all.
This week, local fans have been overcome by nostalgia as they celebrate the first anniversary of Argentina's third World Cup in Qatar.
Since winning their third title in a penalty shoot-out against France, Argentina's Scaloneta has kept on running, banking nine victories and just a single defeat – the 2-0 home less to Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay at La Bombonera in the last round of qualifiers.
Prior to that, the Albiceleste has scored a run of wins, in friendly matches with Panama (2-0), Curaçao (7-0), Australia (2-0) and Indonesia (2-0), and in qualifiers against Ecuador (1-0), Bolivia (3-0), Paraguay (1-0), Peru (2-0) and Brazil (1-0).
The team is established, with few changes and confidence at its highest level in years. The lifting of a 28-year wait filled with frustration is noticeable. Standing top of the FIFA world rankings, Argentina are strong favourites going into the Copa América, which will be played between June and July 2024.
Argentina open the tournament against a team qualifying from the CONCACAF (Canada or Trinidad and Tobago) section, and then will play against Chile and Peru in the group stage.
But before then, AFA will have to settle the issue of Scaloni's future, with the indecision and unrest casting a long shadow over Argentina's spotless present.
Since taking charge of the national team after the Russia 2018 World Cup, Scaloni has overseen 66 matches, recording 48 triumphs, 12 draws and just six defeats. Earlier this year, he was voted as the best coach in the world at the FIFA Best Football Awards.
If Scaloni decides to walk, his replacement will have some huge boots to fill.
– TIMES/AFP
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