Lionel Scaloni’s challenges in the Argentina national team: how to renew goals after winning everything

The Argentine storm at the The Best awards that FIFA delivered last Monday in Paris did not allow for the great news of the renewal of Lionel Scaloni through 2026 it would appear that it should. The prizes a Lionel Messi, Emiliano MartinezDT himself and even Argentine fans personified in the popular Tula and its fuss left in the background the photo of the coach born in Pujato with Claudius Tapiapresident of the AFA, announcing the continuity that everyone wanted and asked for.

But with the froth of those well-deserved laurels already in retreat, and before the national team makes the first friendlies after the coronation official in Qatar 2022, the spotlights are once again on the coach who He is already working on the squad list that he will deliver in the next few days for these meetings that will serve to meet again and continue to celebrate, but also to outline the new challenges that Scaleneta will bring forward.

Because, in addition to having achieved everything (Copa América, Finalissima and World Cup), Argentina will now go on to play as world champions, etiquette that he must assume and defend in each presentationbe it an exhibition or for points.

“I already need to get back into the race, think about the list, about training”, Scaloni had expressed himself with his The Best for the best DT on the planet, voted by colleagues, captains, journalists and fans, in hand. And this, after all, is the first sign that motivation for Coach Lionel is intact. You want to go more.

What does it mean to go more? Scaloni lives in an ideal present: the team is consolidated and his idea of ​​the game is reflected on the field regardless of who runs it, the human group has no cracks, the criticisms – which were harsh due to his initial inexperience – does not exist and is just been recognized as the best in his field by the entire atmosphere of the number five ball. Well, now one of his exams will be knowing how to move in these waters, new for him.

You won’t find it swampy terrain if you stay true to your style of low key, down to earth and restraint as a flag. Getting his boys to maintain the intensity and not regulate their energy now that they’ve hit their peak is going to be another problem.

Motivation will save. Playing with the third star embroidered on the shirt is already a source of pride that they will want to continue living from within. The first indication that desire will be at its peak was given by angel of marywho had announced his retirement from the national team after the World Cup and has now announced that he will try to reach at least the next Copa América, in 2024 in the United States.

There are no more backpacks. There are no more walls to break down. There are no more barriers to raise. The fear may be that a general relaxation occurs. However, this team took off its heaviest backpack after the 2021 maracanazo and then wanted to do more in Qatar.

The start of the Qualifiers for 2026, scheduled for the second part of this year, has put the start of the official competition on the horizon. But undoubtedly defending the current title of champion of the continent is the first big carrot to chase. And without a doubt, the first big challenge. Then yes, in just over three years there will be another World Cup. And there, the incentive will be to win two in a row for the first time in history. Dibu already said it: “For me we are not yet the best in history. But if we repeat what we have won, yes”.

Internally, Scaloni will have other issues to deal with in parallel. The continuity of the project also involves the resolution of the vacancy in the Sub 20 before the departure of Javier Mascherano. His word, as well as that of the other members of the coaching staff, the youth coordinator (Bernard Romeo) and the AFA, will be essential to choose the right name.

Another of the tasks to be carried out in this new post-Qatar phase will be to go and bring together young values ​​in this already formed campus. One of the advantages of the Scaloni group leader is that he does not close ranks with the usual ones, regardless of keeping a base. What happened on Arab soil is a clear example of this: players with fewer minutes and experience in the national team, such as Giuliano Alvarez, Enzo Fernández AND Alexis MacAllisterthey ended up making the starting squad and being a vital part of the world title, even relegating names that seemed untouchable from the cycle such as Lautaro Martínez and Leandro Paredes.

There are values ​​that are emerging in Europe and that the Albiceleste coach is following closely. From time to time, in fact, several of them have even been mentioned to see them train closely and to introduce and familiarize the boys with the Major’s work. I am the garnacho, Peace, Coals, Luke Romero, soulamong others.

Finding them a place, given that they earn it, will obviously be fundamental in this part of the process, aiming for the 2026 World Cup which will be played between the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Lionel Messi is in itself a challenge for Scaloni. The DT has already earned the respect and esteem of the captain, who called him “my coach” on stage at the Paris gala. The Gringo will try to get Leo in such a way that he can prove to him that it’s not impossible for him to be in the next World Cup event.

It will depend on how Messi himself feels year after year, but from the start Scaloni will try to convince him by keeping him comfortable and motivated with blue and white suits on every occasion.

Almost there. La Scaloneta will meet again to face Panama already on March 23 at the Monumental Curacao on March 28 in the Mother of Cities of Santiago del Estero. There will be a big party. But the premises will also be laid for the new challenges of a Selection that wants to do more.