The Accidental Appointment
When Jorge Sampaoli departed following Argentina‘s chaotic 2018 World Cup campaign, the Argentinian Football Association faced a crisis. Financial constraints left the AFA unable to attract a high-profile replacement. Scaloni, who had served as Sampaoli’s assistant in Russia and was managing the under-21 side, emerged as the most viable option.
Initially, the former West Ham full-back received only a temporary mandate. His task was limited to overseeing six friendly matches until the end of 2018, after which the association hoped to appoint a permanent figure. Scaloni continued his work with the under-21s, leading them at a tournament in Valencia while uncertainty surrounded the senior role.
Rebuilding with Messi
Central to Scaloni’s success has been his restoration of the national team’s relationship with Lionel Messi. The connection dates back to 2005, when Messi made his international debut against Hungary. On that day in Budapest, the teenage forward received just two passes after coming off the bench; both came from Scaloni.
Following the disappointment of the 2018 World Cup, Messi had withdrawn from international duty. Scaloni recognised that rebuilding the side required his captain’s return. He enlisted Pablo Aimar—Messi’s childhood idol and a former Valencia playmaker—to help make the approach. Aimar, alongside former centre-back Walter Samuel, forms part of Scaloni’s backroom team. All three were members of Argentina’s 1997 Under-20 World Cup-winning squad, a shared heritage that may have helped convince Messi to commit again.
A Culture of Calm
Scaloni’s management style contrasts sharply with the tension of previous regimes. Where Sampaoli had appeared overwhelmed by pressure, Scaloni has cultivated an environment centred on squad unity. His analyst has noted that traditional team barbecues can prove as valuable as tactical sessions for building the togetherness required during intensive tournament schedules.
The manager has fostered an almost paternal bond with Messi, despite being only nine years his senior. Earlier in the current campaign, Scaloni observed that his captain enjoys a unique status within the group. “He has a group of friends by his side,” Scaloni explained. “People who will give their all for him, who see him as a god, but also as a kid from the barrio.”
On the Brink of History
Having guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, Scaloni now stands on the verge of leading the nation to a historic achievement. Should the Albiceleste successfully defend their title, they would become only the third country to win back-to-back World Cups.
The journey from a temporary six-game appointment to the threshold of football immortality represents one of the most remarkable managerial transformations in modern international football.