‘We have to be great in defeat’: Lionel Scaloni’s message as Argentina players lose temper after World Cup loss to Spain | Today’s news
Lionel Scaloni delivered a dignified message after Argentina’s heartbreaking defeat. His words came amid ugly post-match brawls involving some of Argentine football’s most respected figures.
Some Argentine players then physically clashed with their Spanish counterparts. Speaking to Telemundo, Scaloni remained composed despite the crushing disappointment.
“We feel sadness, but we left everything there,” he said.
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Lionel Scaloni expressed his sadness but kept his cool after the defeat, praising his team’s efforts and insisting they should be ‘great in defeat’.
Scaloni emphasized that leaving everything on the field was a powerful example for the nation, declaring: “You lose and you have to come back.”
After the final whistle, some Argentine players physically clashed with Spanish players, leading to chaotic scenes on the pitch.
Scaloni noted injuries to key players and enormous attrition for his team, attributing the loss to several unforeseen obstacles they faced.
Scaloni’s contract runs until December and he plans to keep it, but he also expressed the need to think about his future coaching role.
He praised the eternal fight and gratitude of his players: “Eternal gratitude to those guys who made it to another World Cup final. They competed until the end. I will have a huge memory of them.”
“We’re great at winning, we’ve got to be great at losing,” he insisted.
Read also | ‘It hurts my soul’ – Scaloni breaks down after Argentina’s World Cup final loss
He thanked the nation and insisted that they had given absolutely everything possible. “We came here for the fumes,” he admitted honestly.
Still, he called their efforts a strong national example: “You lose and you have to come back.”
“If you leave everything there like we did today, it’s a great example for our country. You lose and you have to get back up. There’s no other way,” he added.
When asked if he was in second place, Scaloni remained refreshingly candid. “Yes, I remember who finished second. It costs so much to get here,” he admitted. He recognized the immense cost of reaching such heights. “Of course we would like to win,” he added.
“Gratitude and sadness, of course. But when you leave everything out there, it’s very hard to blame yourself,” Scaloni said.
Lionel Scaloni’s future as Argentina coach
Attention now turns to Scaloni’s uncertain managerial future. He will discuss it with the AFA president. The important thing is that he has not yet spoken to the captain
Scaloni’s contract runs until December, which he will fully respect. In addition, Scaloni admitted that he needs some serious time to think.
“I don’t know if something this big can happen again,” he said.
Read also | Messi breaks down in tears after Argentina fail to reach World Cup final
He suggested that a deeper conversation with officials was needed. Scaloni also urged fans to celebrate reaching the final itself.
“It’s very hard to get people to enjoy finishing second,” he said.
Scaloni reserved particular praise for his team’s mentality. “They were warriors, and that’s true,” he declared.
Argentina celebrates
Although their coach says it is difficult to celebrate second place, Argentina’s fans are in the mood to celebrate. Social networks are flooded with videos showing fireworks in Buenos Aires.
Read also | FIFA World Cup 2026: ARG coach Scaloni says he won’t stop Messi from taking penalties
People in Argentina’s capital drink and dance to celebrate the “scalonisation” of Argentine football. And of course they support their captain Messi.
Meanwhile, Argentine President Javier Milei has declared a public holiday to celebrate the team’s success at the 2026 World Cup. However, he left it up to the players to decide when that day would be.
