The AFA prioritizes retaining the world champion while a cycle without Messi begins and doubts grow about the coach's fatigue
Journalist Yarroch was clear in stating that the continuity is on stand by. That expression summarizes the current atmosphere: there is willingness from the leadership, but there is no official confirmation or concrete announcement that closes the matter. Everything remains open until Scaloni defines his path.
The AFA is confident that the dialogue will end well. They believe that the bond between the coach and the project is solid and that the wear can be managed if reasonable agreements are reached. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking and the uncertainty remains intact.
For Chiqui, there is no plan B. The phrase he used in front of TyC Sports leaves no room for interpretation: Scaloni is the only option they are considering. This conviction explains why the president personally leads the negotiations and why the renewal appears as the central theme of the post-World Cup agenda.
The coach arrived at the national team during a complicated moment and ended up transforming the team. That journey makes him a significant figure within Argentine football. That is why the AFA does not want to let him go and seeks to offer him conditions that convince him to stay.
Even with that determination, Yarroch's reports necessitate caution. As long as there is no official statement or declaration from Scaloni himself, continuity will remain an enigma. The wear from so many years of maximum demand weighs heavily, and the lack of definitions only fuels speculation.
The next stage of the National Team is being written in these hours. With Messi out of the picture and a new cycle ahead, Scaloni's decision will mark the course. For now, everything remains in suspense and the AFA awaits a response that will clear the doubts.
The possibility of Lionel Scaloni continuing at the helm of the Argentine National Team generates strong expectations within the Argentine Football Association. The organization seeks to ensure the permanence of the coach who lifted the World Cup while beginning to outline the next cycle, now without the presence of Lionel Messi once the 2026 tournament is over.
For president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, renewing the coach born in Pujato is the number one priority. He made this clear in an interview with TyC Sports after the World Cup, when he emphasized that “Lionel Scaloni is option A, B, and C.” This statement summarizes the official stance of the AFA, which is working to finalize an agreement for the next World Cup cycle.
The negotiations are led by Tapia himself, who insists that the coach represents the natural continuity of the successful project. However, recent journalistic reports paint a less clear picture. Journalist Gustavo Yarroch from Radio La Red indicated that the coach's permanence is currently in suspense.
The accumulated wear and tear after years of constant demands and the lack of official definitions regarding his immediate future largely explain why the situation has not yet been resolved. While the leadership advances in discussions, Scaloni maintains public silence and his definitive stance is unknown.
The departure of Lionel Messi from the national team marks a turning point. The AFA is already thinking about a different stage, with a renewal of names and a technical leadership that provides stability. In that framework, Scaloni appears as the ideal figure to maintain the playing identity and the team spirit that has been built over the last few years.
Tapia has been working discreetly to convince the coach to stay. The idea is to avoid any power vacuum and ensure that the squad does not lose the direction that took them to the highest level. Even so, circulating reports indicate that the coach is evaluating his own personal and professional moment before giving a response.
