Lionel Scaloni is on the verge of achieving an almost unimaginable feat: leading Argentina to a new world title, after taking command of the national team in an improbable and understated manner. His rise, from interim coach following the disastrous tenure of Jorge Sampaoli to the pinnacle of world football, is a true silent revolution.
Scaloni took the reins of the Albiceleste after the failure at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when everyone expected Diego Simeone to be the chosen one to lead the team. The former winger of Deportivo La Coruna and Lazio was the only member of Sampaoli's coaching staff to remain, a result of the “debt” owed to the former coach, who had known him since Santa Fe, where Scaloni grew up. With just three years of coaching experience, the manager brought in names like Fabián Ayala, Walter Samuel, and Pablo Aimar to his staff, infusing the group with new energy and winning experience.
His natural predisposition for leadership was already evident in his final days as a player, particularly at Atalanta. Stefano Colantuono, his former coach, recalls that Scaloni was a “respected figure in the locker room, a link between the coach and the South American players.” For Colantuono, the Argentine already displayed tactical intelligence and group management skills that pointed to a bright future in coaching. “He was already a coach on and off the field, always making the right decisions and leading the group with calmness,” he stated.
Graduated from the historic Deportivo during the Javier Irureta era, where he won La Liga, Super Cups, and the Copa del Rey, Scaloni had a solid career in various European countries. As a coach, he emerged in a challenging environment, marked by pressure and the need to renew the national team. However, his calm demeanor and ability to keep the group united, especially in a team with stars like Lionel Messi, were decisive. Scaloni managed to handle the talents and the difficult moments, as evidenced by his strategic substitutions against England, which allowed for a turnaround in the match.
As he approaches his fourth final – after already winning a World Cup and two Copa América titles – Scaloni cements his reputation as one of the most intelligent and effective coaches in contemporary football. In New Jersey, he will seek the fourth star for Argentina, elevating his status to that of a true legend of the national team. His serene leadership and tactical acumen demonstrate that sometimes, it is through humility and quiet work that the greatest triumphs are achieved.
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
AGORA PODE ACOMPANHAR O MUNDIAL DE FUTEBOL COM TODA INFORMAÇÃO – AQUI
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