Lionel Scaloni, the unheralded coach who took over Argentina's national team almost by accident, is on the verge of making history by leading the Albiceleste to a second consecutive World Cup title. His journey from a little-known assistant to a potential legend began with two passes to a young Lionel Messi in 2005.
The Early Bond with Messi
On Messi's ill-fated international debut in Budapest in 2005, where he was sent off seconds after coming on, he received only two passes—both from Scaloni. That moment marked the start of a relationship that could culminate in Argentina becoming only the third nation to successfully defend the World Cup. Messi has described Scaloni as one of the first teammates to truly welcome him, recalling how after scoring in the 2006 World Cup group stage against Serbia and Montenegro, Scaloni was the first to hug him in the tunnel. Despite being only nine years older, Scaloni has developed an almost paternal bond with the superstar.
From Temporary Manager to Permanent Solution
Scaloni became manager after the 2018 World Cup, a tournament that was a shambles for Argentina. Jorge Sampaoli's high-pressing style clashed with the team's aging defense, leading to a 3-0 loss to Croatia and a narrow escape from the group stage. France eliminated them 4-3 in the round of 16. Sampaoli left, and the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), strapped for cash, turned to Scaloni—the under-21 coach and Sampaoli's assistant—as the cheapest option. Initially, he was only asked to oversee six friendlies until the end of 2018.
Scaloni continued with the under-21s while Messi, disillusioned, had briefly quit the national team after the 2016 Copa América final. Scaloni knew Argentina needed Messi, so he called him, with his assistant Pablo Aimar—Messi's childhood idol—joining the conversation. Scaloni outlined a vision of a rejuvenated side centered on Messi, and the star was won over.
Building a Family Atmosphere
Scaloni's coaching philosophy emphasizes togetherness, inspired by José Pékerman, who coached Scaloni and his assistants Aimar and Walter Samuel to the 1997 Under-20 World Cup title. Pékerman stressed developing players as human beings, and Scaloni follows suit. His analyst, Matías Manna, has said that one barbecue can be as valuable as 20 tactical sessions, especially during long tournaments. This approach has fostered a tight-knit squad that fights for each other and for Messi.
Messi has grown into a more vocal leader, but his teammates don't resent the attention; instead, they speak of winning for him. Scaloni described the dynamic: 'He has a group of friends by his side, people who will give their all for him, who see him as a god, but also as a kid from the barrio.'
Calmness Under Pressure
In Qatar, Scaloni's calmness was his most notable trait. After the shock loss to Saudi Arabia and the dramatic victory over the Netherlands, he famously said, 'The sun will rise tomorrow.' He provided stability for an entire nation. His emotional collapse after the winning penalty in the final shootout showed the weight of the achievement. In the current tournament, he has shown even more emotion, struggling to complete interviews after wins. If he can guide Argentina through two more games, he will become only the second manager after Vittorio Pozzo to win two World Cups—a remarkable feat for a man hired because the AFA couldn't afford anyone else.
