Lionel Scaloni has made it clear that he will remain in the national team after the Copa América: “I never said I would leave”

On the eve of the friendly against The Saviourthis Friday at 9pm (Argentine time), Lionel Scaloni He gave a short, relaxed speech to the AFA Estudio streaming channel from a video call in Philadelphia, where he is coaching Argentina national team.

At the beginning of the conversation, restore calm throughout the countryScaloni was asked about his continuity in office after the sea of ​​doubts he sowed when he confessed that he had to think about his desire to continue. “I think so”quipped the Pujato native as he looked at the AFA shield with three stars to show that he remains firm in his position.

“I never said I was leaving. What I said in Brazil was premeditated. It was a moment of reflection, thought and pondering after a difficult year. Yes, difficult even though he won the World Cup. A lot has happened on a personal and footballing level. Life doesn’t change, but it gets a little upset and we wanted to see, especially at my level, what to do and reflect on what would happen”, explained Scaloni speaking of the thoughts that have crossed his mind in recent months.

And I add: “When I said stop the ball it was because I had time to reflect on what had happened and what would happen, and I had to feel good, strong, clear-headed.. I think it was time to say it. After thinking about it, I felt the need to speak up and show what I felt, but we decided to strengthen what is coming and try not to slow down, because the important thing is to continue competing. It’s a need I had“.

He even delved into the topic by confessing how difficult it can be to find motivation after touching the sky with your hands by lifting the World Cup. “I read that Tagliafico said that after the World Cup he felt a strange sensation because he felt emptiness after winning. It’s not easy to continue competing and make the players understand that they have to continue. Luckily here in the group they are competitive animals, but I needed to reflect and talk about them. They understood it and this week of training went well. “It’s what I needed to reinforce the idea of ​​continuing,” she said.

And he clarified that the thoughts that questioned his continuity were not due to purely sporting reasons. “They were difficult years for the family because I had my children and my wife away when I was here (in the national team) and also my parents away when I was there (living in Spain). You never know when you do things well on a personal level because you try to do everything well.“said the coach.

“The family gave their opinion and it was a discussed topic, but we are used to life as a footballer. But when you have children and they get bigger and bigger, added to the problems of my parents, they are problems that have grown and we try to do our best for the national team. If at any time there is doubt, we will stop and think as we have done“, complete.

Now, with the firm decision to remain in office, the Staircase He is already thinking about the Copa América to defend his title. “The Copa América is not prepared differently because we are the champions. Argentina always comes out to compete and whoever faces Argentina has a special condition because they face a powerhouse. It doesn’t change that we are champions, I respect the opponent and many things can happen in football” Scaloni said in case there were any doubts about the preparation of the team and the technical staff for what is to come.

One of the most complicated missions that Scaloni could have is putting together the list of players for the Copa América. Since most of the world champions remain at a high level, the emergence of new young talents, which opens the door to the renewal of the team, makes things difficult for them.

In this sense, new faces have appeared in this call-up against El Salvador and Costa Rica, with whom the coach seems to be more than comfortable. “There are Garnacho, Carboni, Buonannotte… they are good guys who we are happy to have. The national team is for everyone and not because it was won there will be people for someone else”, announced the coach regarding the team’s reform.

“We need those behind to push and these guys have conditions, desire. They have shown that they can contribute and we hope to give them the opportunity, to give them minutes in these games. He helped us see them, talk to them, have meetings. “They are interesting players”, he explained when speaking of the sensations that the last training sessions left him with.

After the conversation with AFA Estudio, Scaloni will return to speak this afternoon at a press conference for journalists present in Philadelphia. Perhaps it is time for him to expand again regarding what is to come, his expectations for the Copa América, the possible renewal and his possible comings and goings that have left his continuity in doubt.