Scaloni confirms he wants to stay with Argentina and opens door to generational change

Lionel Scaloni has moved to clarify his situation as Argentina head coach. After the defeat in the World Cup final against Spain, the manager left his continuity up in the air, but this Thursday he made it clear that he wants to stay in charge of the Albiceleste. His renewal, however, still needs to be settled in a meeting with AFA president Claudio Tapia, which has not yet taken place.

• Scaloni wants to continue as Argentina coach, but his contract expires on December 31 and he has yet to meet with Tapia.
• The manager is pushing for a generational change to give opportunities to players who can contribute in the next cycle.
• De Paul and Lo Celso will only play in the friendly against Benin, the match honoring Messi, so young players can get minutes.
• Scaloni insists the door is not closed for experienced players who currently have a reduced role.

Scaloni's renewal still waiting for Tapia meeting

Scaloni's contract runs until December 31 and the coach acknowledged there are still no definitive updates about his future. "There is no news regarding my situation, I will meet with the president in the coming days. We will talk, there is maximum willingness to sit down and when we have something to communicate we will do so," he said.

Asked directly about his desire to continue, the manager was clear: "I definitely want to be here, but there are many aspects to talk about." A new deal with the AFA now looks on track, pending the details both sides need to finalize.

The generational shift Argentina is planning after the World Cup

Scaloni also addressed the necessary refresh Argentina faces now that the World Cup cycle is over. "A World Cup has ended and we believe it is time for changes, because most of the group will remain and they are young players," said the coach, who has introduced several new faces in this squad.

The aim, as he explained, is to open space for footballers who can have a role in the next stage of the national team. "We work for the national team, we do not work for anyone personally," Scaloni stated, defending a collective and forward-looking plan.

Why De Paul and Lo Celso will only play against Benin

The decision to keep Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso out of the first two friendlies in this window is directly linked to that focus on youth. Both were called up, but they will only feature in the match on October 6 against Benin, the game that will serve as Lionel Messi's farewell.

We want to see other players, just like it happened with Fideo. It is the same with them, the door is not closed, but we believe these matches are a chance for the young players to make their contribution.

Scaloni made it clear that the absence of these players from the opening fixtures does not mean a final goodbye. "They are people who have given us a lot. For now they are not involved, and in the future we will see," added the head coach, leaving the door open for the more experienced internationals.

Messi's tribute headlines the friendly window

The friendly against Benin on October 6 will carry special significance for Argentina. That match is designed as Lionel Messi's farewell, one of the most emotional moments on the Albiceleste calendar at the start of this new era. The presence of De Paul and Lo Celso in that fixture underlines how important the captain's tribute is for the coaching staff.

Frequently asked questions about Scaloni's future and Argentina