From the Sneakers Against Saudi Arabia to the Final of his Second World Cup: Scaloni and Superstitions

At 48, Lionel Scaloni finds himself once again where few coaches manage to return: in a World Cup final. The architect of the most successful generation in Argentina’s recent history insisted that the only way to approach a final is to treat it like any other match, without allowing the magnitude of the occasion to disrupt the team’s preparation.  “We prepare the same way as for every match. It’s a football game where we need to be at our best to try and win. We don’t let it get into our heads that it’s a World Cup final because, otherwise, you can get distracted.” Although Argentina arrives as the reigning world champion as pictured below, Scaloni believes that experience is only useful until the match begins.

However, there was a moment during the press conference when tactics took a backseat and the coach’s more human side emerged.  A question about the tears that have accompanied the team throughout the tournament opened the door to one of the most emotional answers of the press conference.  If in Qatar 2022 the emotion seemed associated with ending a 36-year wait, why now, with the glory already conquered, do players and coaching staff continue to break down after each victory?  Scaloni didn’t hesitate. “Because you see your people celebrating, the way they’re happy.

That touches you, and it’s impossible not to feel it in your heart.”  For the coach, the team has recovered something much more valuable than any trophy.  “We’ve brought back the tradition of people standing in front of the TV wearing their Argentine jerseys and hugging each other. A Newell’s fan with a Central fan, a Boca fan with a River fan. That’s the greatest value we can have.”  The answer ended up explaining why the emotion remains so present even after conquering every possible title.  “It’s good to let your emotions out. It’s part of life and it makes you more human.”

His friend, Luis

Scaloni also spent several minutes talking about Spain and, especially, about Luis de la Fuente, with whom he maintains a friendship that began years ago during the coaching courses organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation.  The hug between the two earlier at an event with Tom Brady, Novak Djokovic, Kevin Durant and fans caught the attention of those present and the Argentine explained the reason. 

Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente (right), embraces his Argentina counterpart, Lionel Scaloni, during a joint press conference this Friday in New York.

“I went there because he was going. I told him, ‘Luis, I’ve come for you.’ Afterwards, we talked about other things that I’d rather not have anyone know. I appreciate him a lot. Spain is having a very good run with Luis, and that makes me happy.”  He also agreed with De la Fuente’s words about the similarities between both teams.  “We try to make ourselves strong with the ball. We both look to attack through the ball, with some nuances. In that we are quite similar.”  The Argentine coach also revealed that Spain has long occupied space in the Albiceleste’s analysis room.  Although the planned Finalissima between the champions of Europe and America never took place, he explained that his coaching staff had been studying the Spanish team for months.  “We analyzed Spain because we could play them in March, but also because we had been analyzing all the possible World Cup rivals since December. It’s not that we worked more on them than on any other team.”

The Legend

Scaloni once again bowed down to the Argentine captain when he recalled the hug they shared after qualifying against England, a moment the footballer described as “pure history”.  The coach responded with a phrase that sums up how he feels about the number ten.  “He is pure history. He is history and legend.”  The coach explained that hearing those words from the best player of all time represents one of the greatest recognitions of his career.  “For the best footballer the world has ever seen to think that is something wonderful.” 

Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match against Switzerland in Kansas City.

He also took the opportunity to ask that football enjoy every moment that Messi can still offer.  “Just like with Diego, ten years later we all missed him. We still have Leo here and we have to value what he does.”  Scaloni noted that, at 39 years old, the Argentine captain continues to play in finals and lead a world champion team. “What this group of players has done is incredible. They have achieved things that were unthinkable years ago.”  It was precisely about Messi’s future that the question arose that no one in Argentina wants to ask: whether Sunday’s final will be his last game wearing the Albiceleste jersey.  The answer was as brief as it was forceful.  “I have no idea. You’ll have to ask him.”  Far from speculating, the coach avoided fueling any rumors about a possible departure.

Is There a Cabal?

The conference concluded with a much lighter topic: superstitions.  Scaloni confessed that he once believed in them, although he stopped doing so at the least expected moment.  “In the previous World Cup we always used the same shoes. We lost to Saudi Arabia and had to change them.” 

Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, answers questions during the finalists’ press conference in New York. 

Since then, he says he has left superstitions behind.  “I don’t have many superstitions. I do enter with my right foot, but I did that when I played too.”