During Lionel Messi’s challenging international debut in Budapest in 2005, he experienced an unfortunate moment, receiving a red card just 45 seconds after entering the match, having only touched the ball twice, both times through passes from Lionel Scaloni. While this may not seem significant, those two passes marked the beginning of a bond that could see Argentina become only the third nation to successfully defend the World Cup title.
Messi has often highlighted Scaloni’s role as one of the first players to embrace him within the national team. After scoring against Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 World Cup group stage, at just 18 years and 357 days, he became the youngest player to represent Argentina at the tournament. The first person to congratulate Messi in the tunnel was Scaloni, who greeted him with a supportive hug. Despite only being nine years older, Scaloni has taken on a mentor-like role in their relationship.
The narrative that followed has been one of remarkable achievement. After enduring years of disappointment, the most talented player of his era, arguably among the top three footballers ever, has been guided to victory at the highest level by a coach who stumbled into the position by chance.
Scaloni was appointed head coach of Argentina following the disastrous 2018 World Cup. The tournament was marred by chaos, with Jorge Sampaoli, who was hired at great cost from Sevilla, failing to implement a high-pressing game effectively with Argentina’s sluggish defense. After narrowly drawing with Iceland, Argentina suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Croatia, barely escaping the group stage with a tense win against Nigeria, thanks to a brilliant goal from Messi and a late volley from Marcos Rojo. In the round of 16, they lost 4-3 to France, a match that was far more lopsided than the score suggested.
Sampaoli visibly struggled under pressure, appearing fatigued and unwell during matches, and he departed after the tournament. The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) faced a daunting challenge in finding a successor, as finances were tight and leading a team that hadn’t won a senior tournament since 1993, despite their success at the Under-20 level, seemed nearly impossible. Scaloni, who was managing the under-21 team and had served as an assistant to Sampaoli in Russia, was initially tasked with coaching the team through a series of friendlies as the most affordable option.
While continuing his work with the under-21s, Scaloni led them at the L’Alcudia tournament in Valencia. Meanwhile, Messi remained silent in Barcelona, having briefly retired from international duty following the disappointing penalty shootout loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa América final. It was uncertain what his future with the national team would be post-2018.
Amid the uncertainty, Scaloni recognized Argentina needed Messi back in the fold. He enlisted Pablo Aimar, Scaloni’s assistant and Messi’s childhood idol, to help persuade the star player. With Aimar on the call, Scaloni shared his vision of a revitalized squad centered around Messi.
Messi was convinced, possibly due to their common background. Scaloni, Aimar, and another assistant, former center-back Walter Samuel, had all been part of José Pékerman’s victorious Under-20 World Cup team in Malaysia in 1997. Messi, meanwhile, was part of the fourth of Argentina’s five championship youth teams; although Pékerman had transitioned to senior national manager, his influence remained significant. He emphasized the importance of nurturing his players not just as athletes but as individuals.
Scaloni’s methods reflect this philosophy. His analyst, Matías Manna, has pointed out that one barbecue can hold as much value as multiple tactical meetings. Especially during major tournaments, where players spend extended periods together, fostering camaraderie is crucial. Argentina has embodied this spirit. Under pressure, as seen in matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland, they continually discover an inner strength to prevail.
Messi plays a unique role in this dynamic. He has evolved into a more vocal leader compared to four years ago, and his teammates do not seem to resent the attention he receives. Instead, they express a desire to win for him. “He has a group of friends by his side,” Scaloni noted earlier in the tournament, “people who will give their all for him, who see him as a god, but also as a kid from the barrio.” This delicate balance is one Scaloni has successfully maintained.
In Qatar, Scaloni’s defining trait was his composure. “The sun will rise tomorrow,” he said following the loss to Saudi Arabia and the thrilling victory against the Netherlands. At times, it felt as though he bore the weight of a nation on his shoulders. His emotional breakdown after the decisive penalty in the final shootout was a poignant moment, revealing a humble man overwhelmed by the significance of his accomplishments.
Throughout this tournament, Scaloni has displayed heightened emotion, to the point of being unable to finish his interview after the victory over Egypt. There is a sense that, like his team, Scaloni is navigating a powerful emotional journey, trying to maintain his composure. If he can hold on for just two more matches, he will join Vittorio Pozzo as the only manager to win two World Cups. Remarkably, this success comes from a coach who was appointed primarily due to the AFA’s financial constraints. The manager who stumbled into the role could soon be celebrated as one of the greatest World Cup coaches in nearly a century.
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