It is no exaggeration that this Argentina multi-champion, finalist again, she has long been defined as the StaircaseIt is a fair recognition for their coach. For Lionel Scaloni, the man who took over as interim coach after the embarrassment of Russia 2018 and who ended up telling an unforgettable story.
It is worth stopping and betting on a quick review. Scaloni is the first Argentine coach to direct 4 official finals. He has already scored 3 stars with impressive closings: Copa América 2021 by bringing Brazil to its knees at the Maracaná, Finalissima 2022 dancing and beating Italy and World Cup 2022 in a fabulous final against France. On Sunday it will be the fourth: Copa America 2024.
As if to understand the brutal harvest of Lionel, in the last three years his team has played twice as many finals (4) as losses (barely 2). To measure the capacity that his Argentina shows in the matadors, he won 12 of the 13 he played. And if that were not enough, he also drew the best unbeaten streak (36 games) in the entire history of the Albiceleste.
Scaloni takes it all in stride. “This is something to be proud of. My thanks go to all the players. We’ve had praise and success. And getting here after that is twice as hard. It’s very difficult to get to another final. It’s a feeling of happiness, but also of concern. The bar is very high,” He said after the victory against Canada.
Argentina is beginning to tremble because Angel Di María has already announced that Sunday will be his last match for the national team. Also, because Lionel Messi has already turned 37 and stressed that “these are the last battles.” The future without them is worrying.
Scaloni then responded about Messi and what is coming: “Leo must be left alone. He knows that we are not going to close the door on him, on the contrary. He can be with us as long as he wants, even when he retires if he wants to be with us too. If I go somewhere else, if he wants I can take him, nothing happens. For me it would be a great help, but he can decide what he wants.”
“Messi will be here as long as he wants. We are not going to close the door on him. On the contrary, if he wants, when he retires he can stay with us. He will be welcome. And if at some point I leave, I will take him wherever I go.”
Di Maria confirms he is leaving the national team
Regarding Fideo, the Argentine coach said: “I am in favour of letting Di María play and not removing him. Afterwards we will see if we convince him to stay or not. In the meantime, he has to enjoy the moment.” A little while later, on his social networks, the left-footer ruled out any possibility of continuing with the national team after Sunday’s final.
And that match, the decisive one, was also addressed by Scaloni: “Colombia and Uruguay are two top rivals, the best at national team level. It would be imprudent to say that I prefer one or the other. One (Uruguay) has already beaten us. We haven’t played Colombia yet, but with this coach it is also very difficult.”
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In closing, Scaloni pointed out the secret for Argentina to sustain itself over time at the highest world level: “In a national team, a process is necessary. When we started, things didn’t go well for us. The important thing is the message that one can give. I would like this path to continue. Argentine footballers will always give their all in this way.”
