TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Lionel Scaloni admitted he is uncertain whether he will continue as Argentina head coach after the defending champions fell 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, bringing an emotional end to their bid to retain the title.
The 48-year-old coach, who guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup crown in Qatar, said the defeat had prompted him to reflect on whether he still has the energy to lead another rebuilding process once his contract expires at the end of 2026.
Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Scaloni said he intends to discuss his future with Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia before making a decision.
"I will talk with the president, but I more or less have an idea of what I want to do," Scaloni said. "I will complete my contract and then see."
He added that, after years of unprecedented success, recreating a championship-winning squad would be one of the greatest challenges of his coaching career.
As reported by BBC Sport, Scaloni became visibly emotional during his post-match press conference as he reflected on his journey with the national team. Fighting back tears, he said managing Argentina had been "a dream place" and admitted he was unsure whether he could continue.
"I feel the need to think because I don't know if something as big can be done again," he said. "To continue you need a great deal of things, especially resetting your mind, rebooting, creating a group like this again. That is very difficult to create again."
Unable to finish his remarks without breaking down, Scaloni eventually stood up, apologized to reporters and ended the press conference.
"It's really painful. I am very sorry," he said.
Scaloni first took charge of Argentina on an interim basis in 2018 before being appointed permanently later that year. Since then, he has transformed La Albiceleste into one of international football's dominant forces, leading the team to Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 before lifting the World Cup in 2022.
His current contract, signed in 2023, runs through December 2026.
Argentina's defeat in New Jersey came after a physically demanding tournament that repeatedly tested the defending champions. The South Americans survived dramatic knockout victories over Cape Verde, Egypt and England before eventually falling to a disciplined Spanish side that controlled possession for long stretches of the final.
Ferran Torres' extra-time goal ultimately secured Spain's second World Cup title and completed a remarkable double after winning the UEFA European Championship two years earlier.
According to ESPN, Scaloni acknowledged that rebuilding Argentina may prove especially difficult given the makeup of the current squad. Eight of the 11 starters in the World Cup final also started Argentina's victorious final in Qatar four years earlier, highlighting both the continuity and the aging core that carried the team through another deep tournament run.
Even captain Lionel Messi, who inspired Argentina throughout much of the competition, struggled to impose himself against Spain's organized defense, failing to register a shot until the closing minutes of extra time.
Despite the disappointment, Lionel Scaloni reserved his final words for his players, praising the commitment they showed throughout the tournament.
"I have to thank this group of players," he said. "They have been warriors."
Whether Sunday's defeat marks the end of Scaloni's remarkable tenure now depends on the conversations he plans to hold with the AFA in the coming months. For now, the coach who restored Argentina to the summit of world football says he needs time to decide whether he is ready to begin another cycle.
Read: Lionel Scaloni Downplays Argentina-England World Cup Semifinal Rivalry
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