Lionel Scaloni hints at Argentina departure after World Cup qualifying win over Brazil

ByTNT Sports

Updated 21/03/2025 at 01:45 GMT

Lionel Scaloni appeared to cast doubt on his position as Argentina head coach after his side beat Brazil in World Cup 2026 qualifying. The 45-year-old has overseen La Albiceleste's rise back to the pinnacle of the game, after their Copa America title in 2021 and the holy grail of a third World Cup triumph last year. Tuesday's game at the Maracana was marred by fan and police clashes in the stands.

Highlights: Otamendi header sees Argentina defeat Brazil at Maracana

Video credit: SNTV

Lionel Scaloni hinted that he may be tempted to leave his role as Argentina head coach after guiding his side to a narrow win away in Brazil on Tuesday.
Scaloni led La Albiceleste to their third World Cup title in Qatar last year, and inflicted a first-ever home World Cup qualifying defeat on the Selecao with their 1-0 victory.
Nicolas Otamendi's goal proved decisive on the night and kept Argentina top of the World Cup 2026 South American qualification standings with 15 points from six games.
However, that only told part of the story as violence broke out in the stands between the fans and police, leading to kick-off being delayed by 30 minutes.
But as for Scaloni, after achieving the highest of highs with the national team, the head coach is questioning his hunger to continue in the long term.
"Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well ... I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time," said Scaloni in his post-match press conference.
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Watch moment Argentina players seek to calm violence in stands

Video credit: TNT Sports

"These players have given a lot to the coaching staff and I need to think a lot about what I'm going to do.
"It's not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it's complicated to keep going and it's complicated to keep winning.
"These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards."
Prior to winning the World Cup, Scaloni ended Argentina’s 35-year wait for a major trophy with victory in the 2021 Copa America.
That 1-0 win over Brazil in the final was also captain Lionel Messi’s first piece of silverware as an Argentina player, ahead of their World Cup triumph in Qatar two years later.
Argentina centre-back Cristian Romero said the players will do what they can to keep Scaloni at the helm.
"We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue," the Tottenham defender told reporters after the match.
"Let's see now he will have time to think, he didn't say anything in the dressing room about it. We will try to convince him."
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