Lionel Scaloni, born in Pujato, Argentina in 1978, is at home with his family in Palma de Mallorca after weeks of nonstop activity. First in Qatar, where he guided the albiceleste to a third World Cup title, and then back in his homeland for celebrations that filled Buenos Aires with triumph. Argentina had not celebrated a World Cup for 36 years. The coach reflects on this achievement for La Opinión de A Coruña from the Prensa Ibérica group, speaking with naturalness, simplicity, and humility—qualities that have defined him since his arrival in Spain in December 1997 when he signed with Deportivo. While he admits it is too soon to measure the lasting significance of the title, he knows he is making history and that the full impact will become clearer with time.
The first question asks if he has managed to unwind or if the thrill of the victory and the post-tournament celebrations still hold him tight. He replies that the moment is all very fresh. Every day, with friends, family, and especially in Spain, his birthplace, people grasp the magnitude of what was achieved. He notes that witnessing the world’s reaction helps him understand the scale of the triumph, and believes that future years will reveal even more about what they accomplished.
The second question touches down on the transition from the sky of Qatar to daily life in Palma. He says returning to routine is not difficult. Life simply continues; work goes on, families and friends keep their rhythms, and everything remains balanced. He does not dwell on achievements day by day and looks ahead to what comes next, insisting the emphasis should always be on the next step rather than resting on past laurels.
At 44, Scaloni has joined a select group of young coaches who have won the World Cup, adding to his Copa América 2021 and Finalissima 2022 titles. He is asked if the rapid ascent feels dizzying. He answers no; he chose coaching in 2011 while still playing, and from that moment forward the mission was clear. He believes the weight of responsibility should not overshadow the path that led him here. Consistency and effort are the keys, and success is the natural payoff of steady work.
When asked whether the 2018 final between Argentina and France will be remembered as Scaloni’s World Cup alongside Messi’s, he replies that the memory belongs to Argentina and its football culture as a whole. He emphasizes that the country’s love for the game is central, and a national triumph is a collective achievement that transcends any single individual. The joy he felt was immense and shared by a nation that backs its team with passion.
The interviewer then questions whether coaching the national team carries responsibilities comparable to those he felt as a player. Scaloni states that there is nothing comparable to leading Argentina. It is a singular honor with a global spotlight, where behavior and example matter, especially to young fans who see themselves reflected in every action. This sense of belonging makes responsibility a meaningful, daily consideration for him as a coach.
The conversation shifts to the coach’s personal football philosophy and how it echoes in his players. He notes that his approach balances the lessons learned as a player with the needs of the squad he now leads. He believes in a style that refuses to give up, a mindset that prioritizes continuous improvement and resilience. Training these players has been a continual source of satisfaction and motivation.
Reflecting on his playing days in Spain, Scaloni mentions A Coruña, Santander, and Palma de Mallorca. He describes Spain as his second home, grateful to the country that shaped him and his family. He cherishes his best years in A Coruña, where he grew as a person, and also values his time in Santander I, which shared a warm, welcoming climate and people. He feels a strong connection to Palma, where he chose to live with his family—his wife and children—appreciating the calm, unassuming nature of the place. He also holds affection for Deportivo, where he spent a meaningful period and achieved solid performances. Overall, he considers Spain a second home due to the many years he spent there and the life he built.
Buenos Aires celebrated the championship with Argentine pride, but so did other places, including Spain. Scaloni notes that he has a second home in A Coruña and a heart that holds Argentines living in Galicia and Galicians with ties to Argentina. He is moved by how the victory is received there, a sign of shared identity and joy across borders. It is a personal and communal triumph that resonates with him deeply.
The coach reiterates that his success goes beyond personal achievement. He has always carried forward the values his parents instilled in him during his time with Deportivo, maintaining strong bonds with fans and the club’s supporters. If the Argentine victory brings happiness to Deportivo fans, it validates a sense of unity and shared identity that transcends national lines. The emotion is doubled when people see themselves reflected in Scaloni’s story, as someone who persistenty moved forward with the team’s best interests at heart.
Finally, the interviewer asks what message Scaloni would offer to the young blue-and-white fans who did not see him play at Riazor but now know who Scaloni is through Deportivo. He speaks of group unity and the constant drive to push forward, the refusal to give up, and the values that the national team embodies today. While he acknowledges that Deportivo boasted great players, he emphasizes that his own style fit the club and its supporters. He believes that those who knew him would say he was someone who always advanced, never surrendered, and that this spirit is reflected in the World Cup success. It is a testament to a team that never stopped believing, even in moments of doubt and difficulty, a defining feature of its identity.