From interim manager to a World Cup winner: The story of Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni

Argentina’s victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup teaches football fans a lesson to remember. In the sport, 22 men battle it out on the field. However, in the end, more than eleven men win. Coaches, support staff, and fans are all winners in the end as they invest time and put in effort into the team and the players. While everyone mentioned above is crucial for a team to function, the role of a manager is second to none. The gaffer is vital to a team’s success regardless of the talent. Lionel Scaloni’s run with the Argentinian side proves the same.

Before Argentina won the World Cup in 2022, the South American nation stayed without a World Cup for 36 years. Having won under Maradona in ’86, the country craved to win football’s most coveted prize. What were the problems? Did Argentina lack talent? No, they did not. Even after the Maradona era, Argentina produced some of the most exciting players. None could win the Cup. It took Maradona’s successor Lionel Messi five World Cups to be crowned World Champion. Why was the wait so long?

There are many reasons. By the looks of it, Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina, seems to have made a difference for the South Americans. Scaloni’s importance to the team is amazing because when the 44-year-old took over as Argentina’s manager, he was only supposed to be an interim coach. After ‘La Albiceleste’ failed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, manager Jorge Sampaoli was sacked. In came Argentina u-20 coach Lionel Scaloni. After his stipulated time at the helm, the Argentine Football Association extended Sacloni’s time as boss till the 2019 Copa America. This move gained a lot of criticism, and even football legend Diego Maradona opposed it. However, Scaloni silenced has now silenced all.

Despite finishing third in Brazil during the 2019 Copa America, Lionel Scaloni turned things around for Argentina when he guided the team to a Copa America victory in 2021. It was Argentina’s first international trophy in 28 years. A man once doubted by many had done what the many greats before couldn’t achieve. After the men in Blue and White won Copa America, football fans dared to dream of Argentina winning the World Cup. The dream grew further as the side led by Scaloni won the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, defeating Italy. These results were impressive. What followed will be remembered by many.

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Lionel Scaloni was the difference maker in Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign

For the longest time, fans thought one Lionel Messi would be enough to end Argentina’s 36-year wait for a FIFA World Cup victory. However, they were wrong. It took ‘La Albiceleste’ two Little Lions, the meaning of Lionel in Latin, to win the FIFA World Cup 2022. While Lionel Messi helped the team with his inspirational performances on the pitch, Scaloni was the instrumental voice on the sidelines and in the locker room. Right from his team selection to tactics, everything worked right for Argentina.

Heading into Qatar, Scaloni picked a squad that consisted of youth and experience. Argentina was the favorite at the World Cup as they looked good on paper. In addition, Scaloni’s presence and trust were also key factors. Even though Argentina began their campaign on a losing note to underdogs Saudi Arabia, the team bounced back brilliantly.

Scaloni’s faith in balancing youth and experience paid off as Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez shone in attack for the team. Not to forget, Enzo Fernandez, who was adjudged the best young player at the tournament. Scaloni’s faith in players such as Rodrigo De Paul, Alex Mac Allister, and Lautaro Martinez paid dividends too. To sum up, Scaloni’s team selection and masterful tactics made Argentina World Champions. Even playing Angel Di Maria in the finals of the World Cup was a masterstroke by Scaloni.

The contributions of the Argentine manager to the team were well acknowledged by Lionel Messi, who lavished praise on the 44-year-old even before they could reach the finals. After Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals, praising Scaloni, Messi said, “Scaloni had said it – he knows how to suffer when he must suffer, read the games, when to withdraw and when to press. He is a very good coach who leaves nothing to chance.” Well, Messi was not lying. Scaloni certainly knows how to suffer as against France, despite suffering from losing leads, Argentina maintained composure and defeated the former World Champions in a penalty shootout.

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Overall, under Scaloni, not only Messi but every Argentine player looks happy. Maybe, Scaloni is just 44 and bonds well. Younger players in the team can speak and relate to him. A former player who retired in 2015, Scaloni understands what modern football demands from a player, and this can be a changing factor Argentina needed. With this World Cup victory, Lionel Scaloni has become the 5th youngest manager to win a World Cup. However, fans can expect much more from the talented manager due to his talent. For now, over to Argentina as the World Champions have arrived home. Vamos Argentina.

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