Interim Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI spoke in length about Lionel MESSI, the future of the Argentina National Team and much more.
In an interview with Infobae, the former Argentina international went in depth discussing the future and what the kids mean to the National Team. However, he also commented on Lionel MESSI as well as Walter SAMUEL possibly joining the coaching staff. Here’s what he had to say:
Lionel SCALONI on his conversation with Lionel MESSI:
“I spoke with him and from that conversation he has not been called-up for the two (upcoming friendly) matches. We didn’t talk about the future, we all know what he represents to us and we will see what happens. I have a really good relationship with him and we were very clear: He would not be in this call-up, we will see for the future but everything ended well.”
Lionel SCALONI on calling up Franco VAZQUEZ:
“Like everyone knows, I took over as coach just a few days ago and we were in the middle of the U20 tournament in Valencia. Once we got here, we started putting together the list and last week we decided that Franco would be called-up. We sent out the papers to FIFA to authorize it (since VAZQUEZ has played for Italy); we are optimistic that they will give us the okay and that Franco would be able to play with the Argentina National Team. But there are things that don’t depend on us.”
On Walter SAMUEL possibly being included in the Argentina coaching staff:
“It’s a possibility that we are looking at. Still no decision has been taken. It’s obvious that we know each other, he’s a friend, but there’s nothing completely decided.”
On Sergio ROMERO:
“He’s in the list and we are looking at the possibility of him playing this weekend or at the least be available for Manchester United. We still have a week to be able to call-up another goalkeeper if he doesn’t recover. We are in contact with him, he is training but the idea is that if he’s not well, we will call-up another goalkeeper.”
What it means to coach the Argentina National Team:
“It’s a challenge, a big illusion and in these six or what ever matches we get, we will try to bring in the most number of players possible for the next coach to be able to decide and say if these matches really served for something, beyond the results. It’s a moment for these kids to be able to put on the shirt.”
On certain players:
“No player opted out or said that they did not want to come with the Argentina National Team. Everything that was decided was for the best of the National Team and to be able to bring something for the future. We know that we have to call people up for these matches. I spoke with many of the players, not all of them and they were available. We know that we need these players because we believe that we have an enormous potential. Most of them are in good form and it’s the time to call them up, looking past their ages because these kids are young.”
On future call-ups:
“It’s obvious that there are still players that I’d like to see and we have up until this week to call up more. We are convinced of what we have to prove. It’s obvious that the result counts because Argentina has to win but it’s the time for these kids to put on the shirt and convince that they can play with the National Team. We are trying to instill the idea that those who put the shirt on for the first time, don’t take it off.”
Why he decided to stay with the team after Jorge SAMPAOLI’s exit:
“I had already taken the decision to continue with the AFA and if it wasn’t possible, I would have had no problem parting ways. The possibility to continue here arose and I know the AFA and I’m here. They offered me to stay with the U20 team and after that the senior team and I am very grateful to the president because he was the person who called me to offer me this chance which I couldn’t say no to and I am happy.”
On continuing after these matches:
“I would have liked to have Pablo (AIMAR) here because we think the same way: For these six matches, we want to be able to bring in the most players possible. What will happen in the future, I don’t know. I’m here to give a hand, I’m here during an important time in Argentine football. After that, we will see what happens. I am only thinking in the National Team, in what is happening now.”
On the experience of the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
“I lived Russia like most or like all Argentine’s. A big dream to be able to get reach as far as we can and heart break for being eliminated, against the world champions. That also played a little against us because we finished second in the group and we were left with the most difficult road. It was a big experience for me as a coach but a big heart break for how it ended.”
On why he counts on young players:
“In football, you can win a match but if in the long run things aren’t done properly, it all falls apart. I think it’ll be a long road and surely it’s something which can be achieved. There’s potential, there are players in the U15, U17 levels… They are doing things well and why not think that in the future, Argentina can go back to being world champions. It’s what we want to transmit to these kids at the U20 level that at the next World Cup they will be 22 or 23 years old and that World Cup will be decided by that group age.”
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