Argentina Players Rally for Lionel Scaloni to Extend His Stay as Head Coach

The future of the Argentina national team remains uncertain as Lionel Scaloni weighs his options after leading the squad through a period of remarkable success. Following the disappointment of the World Cup final loss, the players have come together to publicly support their coach and encourage him to sign a new contract.

Dressing Room Shows Strong Support

With Scaloni's current deal set to expire in December, rumors about his possible exit surfaced after Spain's 1-0 victory in the July final. Despite ongoing talks with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the team gathered in Buenos Aires to make a clear appeal for the 48-year-old manager to remain with the national side.

Key Players Express Respect and Gratitude

• Nico Paz: "He is one of the most important coaches for me. He gave me my debut, and I hope he stays."
• Cristian Romero: "We want him to continue because he is the key figure in building this national team."
• Juan Musso: "Given the success he's had and what he built with this team, we hold him in high regard and have great affection for him."

Team Reflects on Achievements Under Scaloni

• Leonardo Balerdi: Described playing under Scaloni as a "privilege."
• Gianluca Prestianni: Highlighted Scaloni’s impact on making Argentines proud by giving everything to the national team recently.

Throughout an eight-year tenure that includes 104 matches, Scaloni has guided Argentina to triumph at the 2022 World Cup and back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. His record boasts 76 wins, 18 draws, and only 10 losses, alongside a historic unbeaten streak of 36 games.

Upcoming Matches and Messi’s Farewell

Scaloni will speak to the press ahead of the game against Bolivia in Cordoba next Tuesday. The team’s schedule also includes friendlies against Burkina Faso and Benin from September 30 to October 6. The final match at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium will be significant, marking captain Lionel Messi's official farewell to international football following his announced retirement.

Friendlies:

• Argentina vs Bolivia – September 30, 2026, 23:00