Lionel Scaloni, the coach who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, broke down in tears at the post-match press conference after his side fell to Spain in the World Cup final.

Unable to contain his emotion while fielding questions from reporters, Scaloni paused and told the room: "Bear with me, I don't know if I can continue." He then rose from his seat and said, "It's really painful, I am very sorry," before walking out.

Questions over his future

Scaloni acknowledged that his future as Argentina head coach is now uncertain, noting that his contract runs until December and that the end of this cycle may be a natural point of departure.

"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. I don't know if something big needs to be done. We need to speak this through."

He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity he had been given: "I am thankful to the president for bringing me this chance. It was a dream for everyone. We have tried up until the very last minute to give our best, the staff and players. I believe it's only fair that I can take this time for myself to think this through."

A chaotic end to the final

The final was not without controversy after the full-time whistle. Leandro Paredes was sent off following a confrontation in which he grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and threw Gavi to the floor. Enzo Fernandez also received a red card for a reckless challenge, casting a shadow over Argentina's conduct at the match's conclusion.

Despite those scenes, Scaloni struck a conciliatory tone when reflecting on his players' commitment throughout the tournament: "I'll cherish the memory of my players, what they achieved and the effort it took to reach this stage. We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose. If the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did today, it sets a great example for our people and our country."