Official: Scaloni to remain Argentina manager until 2030

Scaloni will remain Argentina manager through 2030, overseeing the next World Cup cycle after initially considering his future following the Copa América final loss.

Lionel Scaloni has been confirmed as Argentina's manager until 2030, AFA president Claudio Tapia announced on Thursday ahead of a friendly against Uruguay. Scaloni, visibly emotional during the press conference—dealing with his mother's recent death—expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue leading the Albiceleste through the next World Cup cycle.

Scaloni revealed he initially had doubts after Argentina's Copa América final defeat but decided to stay after consulting his coaching staff and assessing the squad's potential. "The blow of not winning the final was hard," he said, "but I saw we have material and can keep competing."

He emphasized the need for patience with younger players stepping up in the post-Messi era, noting that while they have enormous potential, they cannot yet replicate what Messi and veterans like Otamendi provided.

Key changes include the departure of assistant Walter Samuel, who will pursue his own managerial career after the next two matches. Scaloni confirmed Emiliano Martínez is fit for Friday's Uruguay friendly and indicated no immediate successor to the number 10 shirt has been decided, saying the decision will come "when it's obligatory to use it."