Lionel Scaloni was derided when he was elevated to the job of Argentina’s head coach four years ago, immediately after the fallout of their campaign at the World Cup in Russia. France, the eventual champions, had knocked out Argentina in the last-16 and Scaloni had been the assistant to Jorge Sampaoli.
How time changes everything.
In Qatar, the former Argentina right-back now stands on the brink of joining the likes of Cesar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo as only the third coach to lead Argentina to World Cup glory. France stand in their way at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
On Saturday, Scaloni recounted how he unified this side behind one common goal: to deliver the World Cup.
“Since the first day, the goal was to give the national team to the whole of Argentina,” he told in a news conference. “We’ve then come up with an amazing squad that plays for this jersey and gives everything on the pitch.”
There have been disappointments too, notably when Argentina lost the semi-finals of the Copa America to Brazil in 2019. Two years later, though, Scaloni would mastermind the revenge as Argentina would go on to beat their eternal rivals to become South American champions for the first time since 1993.
“We kept trusting our team,” reflected Scaloni. “We knew we had players who were going to give us joy, who would always be representative of our people.”
Most importantly, Argentina had Lionel Messi — the best player in the world. The key was giving him the team to win the World Cup at his last attempt. Argentina have longed for it since 1986 — when legendary Diego Maradona guided them to the ultimate glory.
Scaloni set about giving Messi the tools. He was Messi’s team-mate at the Argentinean legend’s first World Cup in 2006. The backroom staff changed too. Some influential members of the 2006 squad also came in; Roberto Ayala, the classy defender, and Pablo Aimar, the silky midfielder who was Messi’s idol. Walter Samuel, the former defender who was Messi’s team-mate at the 2010 World Cup, was also brought in.
During Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign, Samuel — who has a quiet presence — spoke about Argentina’s squad combining to bring the best out of Messi.
Scaloni might not have been a famous name but he has endeared himself to all Argentines.
“When he started in the national team, many people doubted about the little experience,” former Argentina right-back Pablo Zabaleta told reporters during the FIFA Legends Cup on Thursday. “But sometimes football shows that the greatest experience you can have is what you lived as a footballer.
“There is no coaching course that teaches you what a footballer lives in a locker room. And also he had been with Sampaoli. When you are a coach you have to choose the players well, put together a good group and make them feel good. And surround yourself with good people, such as Aimar, Samuel and Ayala. That’s more than enough to be a successful coach.”
The World Cup saw a remarkable turnaround from Argentina. They had fallen to a stunning defeat against Saudi Arabia in their opening game but have won every game since then. “I’m in a dream position as head coach, I’m very proud and excited,” said Scaloni. “We are in the World Cup final. We’ve been able to enjoy this. It’s a great opportunity that the Argentina team has provided me with.”
All talk ahead of the final has been about the contest between Messi and his Paris St Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe of France. Scaloni, though, wouldn’t delve into that. “The match will be between Argentina and France, and not Messi and Mbappe,” he said. “We have our weapons and the match will be decided with all players. There are many players who can define this match.”
He did however admit that Argentina were hoping to give Messi the best sendoff possible as he plays his last World Cup game on Sunday. “We hope he can lift this trophy in his final match,” said Scaloni. “But the most important thing is to enjoy Messi.”
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, speaking before Scaloni, informed that Messi was very happy ahead of the final. “Messi feels very well,” Martinez told reporters. “Messi was an exceptional player at Copa America and in this World Cup he took a step forward. It gives us so much energy. He’s excited, he’s full of joy and that helps us very much.”
Source: DAWN
BDST: 1016 HRS, DEC 18, 2022
MN
