Scaloni to Coach Argentina Until 2030 World Cup, Urges Patience for Young Players
Lionel Scaloni will remain Argentina's head coach until the 2030 World Cup. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) recently renewed his contract from 2027 to 2030, giving the World Cup-winning coach the opportunity to lead Argentina at three consecutive World Cups.
Argentina is now rebuilding without experienced stars such as Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi. Scaloni has faith in the young players but does not expect big things from them right away. In his view, the newcomers must be given time to prove themselves.
Since taking charge in 2018, Scaloni has won the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles and a Finalissima with Argentina. But a new challenge now awaits him. Lionel Messi retired from international football after the World Cup, so new faces must be found to lead the team and its attack.
Outlining his plans for the new generation, Scaloni said: 'An important new chapter of our journey is beginning. We will now give opportunities to the emerging young players. They have a lot of ability, but they may not yet be fully ready to contribute the way Messi, Di Maria and Otamendi did.'
Emphasising the need to give the young players time to come forward, Scaloni said: 'All of these young players need understanding and support.'
Scaloni is hopeful about midfielders such as Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono and Valentin Barco, and forwards such as Matias Soule and Gianluca Prestianni. These youngsters could play important roles for the national team in the days ahead.
As Argentina coach, Scaloni has 79 wins, 18 draws and 10 defeats in 107 matches. Under him, the team has scored 231 goals and conceded 57. His big challenge now is to overcome the absence of the veterans and maintain the run of success with the new players.
Meanwhile, Messi's number 10 jersey is not being given to anyone for now. No Argentina player will wear the jersey in the friendlies against Uruguay early tomorrow and against Costa Rica on 17 November.
