‘Hurts me in the soul’: Argentina coach breaks down after final loss – WATCH

Lionel Scaloni

NEW DELHI: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni struggled to hold back tears after his side lost 0-1 to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.Scaloni said the defeat was deeply painful as Argentina failed to defend the title they had won in Qatar four years ago. Ferran Torres scored the only goal in extra time to hand Spain their second World Cup crown.Speaking after the match, the Argentina coach said: “We had injuries in key positions that we weren’t expecting. The wear and tear has been enormous, they gave their last effort. I’m in a dream place for everyone, I always thank the President (Tapia) for the opportunity. This place is wonderful. It’s hard to form a group like this. Losing hurts me in the soul.”

Uncertain about his future

Scaloni also raised doubts about whether he would continue as Argentina coach. His contract runs until December, and he said he would first speak with Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia before making any decision.“I will talk to the president,” he said. “I have an idea of what I would like to do. I will see out my contract and I feel the need, I don’t know if something as big can be done. We need to speak this through.”He thanked Tapia for giving him the opportunity to coach the national team and said he needed time to think.“I am thankful to the president for bringing me this chance of being in this place where I am at the moment. It was a dream place for everyone. We have tried up until the very last minute to give our utmost, the staff and players. I believe it’s only fair that I can take this time for myself to think this through.”“Bear with me, I don’t know if I can continue. This place is wonderful, it is a dream place.”He explained that building another successful team would not be easy.“We would never have imagined, including my staff, that we would be in this place. In order 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.”