‘We never gave up, and that’s the best message we could send’: Scaloni looks beyond tough World Cup – The Daily Star

Lionel Scaloni believes Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final demanded more from his team than their previous triumph in Qatar, with injuries and fitness issues forcing difficult decisions along the way.

Now, with the tournament behind them, the Argentina coach wants to use the next phase to introduce younger players without losing the spirit that has carried the team through an extraordinary eight-year cycle.

Speaking to Asian channel MiGu, Scaloni revealed that Argentina arrived in the United States in considerably worse physical condition than they had in Qatar.

“We arrived at the previous World Cup (2022) in much better shape, with 95% of the players at their best; this time we arrived with just enough,” Scaloni said.

“We didn’t have players at 100%, but we trusted them. We made much tougher decisions than in the previous tournament.”

That trust remained central to Argentina’s campaign, which ended with a defeat to Spain in the final.

Scaloni said the coaching staff often had to choose between physical concerns and their faith in players who had been crucial to the team over the previous eight years.

“We had to make decisions based on what we wanted from the lads, on the truth of what they told us, and on having faith in them,” he said. “People are more important than the football player.”

Argentina’s resilience became another defining feature of their run. Scaloni highlighted the matches against Egypt and England as examples of the team’s character.

“We never gave up, and that’s the best message we could send,” he said. “This jersey isn’t for just anyone.”

But with the World Cup over, Scaloni believes Argentina must begin looking beyond the group that established itself as one of the most successful teams in the country’s history.

“An important, exciting period begins, a time to trust these young players who are knocking on the door,” he said.

The plan, he explained, is to give emerging players time to understand Argentina’s style while selection continues to depend on club performances rather than age.

“Our intention in the upcoming matches is to give young players the opportunity to adapt to our style of play,” Scaloni said. “I always say that age is not a defining factor. They will stay or new players will come in as long as they perform well for their clubs and we believe they deserve to be here.”

Scaloni is not expecting Argentina simply to reproduce the achievements of the past few years. Instead, he wants the next generation to develop its own connection with supporters.

“When the final ended, regardless of winning or losing, that’s not the point. From now on, a pause opens up, and we’re going to give this a chance,” he said.

“I’m not saying we have to repeat the titles, but rather that we have to create a positive connection within the team, that people feel identified with it.”

Whether Scaloni will oversee that transition himself remains unresolved. He stopped short of confirming his future, saying only: “Logically, we’ll try, whether we’re there or not. That’s not the important thing.”