Scaloni hints at departure, then breaks down in tears and leaves press conference

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni, whose contract expires in December, cast doubt on his future after the team's loss in the 2026 World Cup final.

“I haven't spoken with Leo. As for me, I will speak with the president. I have an idea of what I want to do, I will fulfill my contract, and then we'll see. The truth is, I feel the need to think because I don't know if I can achieve something as significant as this again. Perhaps we need to talk. I am grateful to the president for giving me such an opportunity, to be in such a position.

Being in the position I am in is a dream for anyone. We tried until the last moment to give our maximum as a coaching staff, as did the players. It's fair for me to take this time and reflect... This place is wonderful, it's a dream come true,” he added, visibly emotional.

After attempting to compose himself, Scaloni expressed his concerns about the future and the team's restructuring. "To continue, many things are needed, most importantly to restart, to rebuild a group like this, which will be difficult to form again, and that pains me to the core," he stated with a trembling voice, before abruptly leaving the press conference room.

“It's not important who is at the helm of the national team. It's enough to have certain values, to be instilled from a young age with what it means to wear this jersey, what it means to play for this country, and the rest they do themselves, that's the reality. I don't see it as so complicated, and every process eventually ends. We will be here until December and we will fight,” he added, before leaving the stadium.