The intimacy of Scaloneta: tricks, teammates and lots of football, this is how the Argentine enjoys himself in Qatar

There was a time when things got complicated in the Argentina national team bunker. The first starry with Saudi Arabia slapped the internal climate in those first days of the World Cup. Nobody expected that defeat, it hurt too much. But the group came out stronger and grew from then on until they straightened the road and managed to get through the group stage and then make it to the quarterfinals.

“Now we enjoy the World Cup”, confessed Rodrigo De Paul after beating Poland. From there, the delegation recovered its usual splendor and jokes, laughter and, of course, games flourished in the intimacy of the University of Qatar. How is Scaleneta day?

The home of the group directed by Lionel Scaloni here in Doha is fully equipped and prepared so that the players and all the staff can live in the most comfortable way possible. And this obviously includes the free time factor, which is essential to cope with so many days of confinement.

It has been three weeks since the full Albiceleste squad arrived from Abu Dhabi following the friendly with the United Arab Emirates in the early hours of 17 November. and the footballers they only had 24 hours of freedom (after beating Australia) to go for a walk through the streets of Qatar and be with their families outside the walls of this massive university, where some 25,000 students study each year, but now only about 100 staff remain.

Entertainment abounds in the bowels of concentration, there in module three of this complex which also hosted the Spain delegation until this Tuesday, eliminated on penalties against Morocco in the round of 16. There are pool tables, ping-pong tables, televisions with Play Station consoles, a darts target practice, a swimming pool and a basketball court, among other distractions that Argentina’s protagonists make use of.

The dunking round starts early with Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Papu Gómez. Then others are added and so the day of the Argentine team begins every day. The moments of relaxation are varied. Workouts are usually in the afternoon, but some take the opportunity to go to the gym or kinesiology in the morning or before training.

The TV is always on with the World Cup matches. “You watch football a lot”, they comment from the Scaloneta bunker. For example, many gathered to watch Brazil beat South Korea on Monday night.

There are challenges in the game with goal shouts included. There is no shortage of classics figs. And you sweat a little while playing table football or ping-pong One versus one. The basketball court is located in the local clubhouse, but they haven’t used it until now because they prefer activities that don’t require much energy expenditure. But the alternative is a hoop for practicing doubles.

Distracting the head is the premise. For this some even choose to turn on the laptop or iPad to watch a series or a film, while others spend a couple of hours chatting between bitters and bitters. There are also those who take the opportunity to read a book.

The nights are warm in the Arabian autumn. Therefore, the swimming pool is a good option to relax a bit before dinner or before going to sleep. What can never be missing are the trick challenges.

An internal tournament was organized in which everyone participated. There were 16 trios between players, technical staff, collaborators, managers and administrators. The jackpot is $4,800.

Neither the trio made up of Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes nor that of any footballer has reached the final, which will be played by the team made up of Claudio Tapia (president of the AFA), Omar Souto (national team coach) and Beto Pernas (administrator) against Jorge Miadosqui (selection secretary), Damián Albil (goalkeeping coach) and Nico P (props).

There were spicy duels. The matches took place simultaneously in different sectors of the club. But whoever was eliminated became the tribune of those who were still in the game and every joke thrown on the table was celebrated as a goal.

Visiting relatives is a moment awaited by all. It is always given the day after each game. There is an intertwined connection between the families of various and that’s why he always rolls a ball, between children or younger siblings who get together with soccer “without breaking anything”.

Thus, between activities, good vibes and a fraternal atmosphere, the national team spends the days of this World Cup in preparation and waiting for Friday’s one-on-one match against the Netherlands.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.