The other Lionel: how Scaloni went from accidental manager to World Cup hero

The other Lionel explains how Lionel Scaloni’s rise shaped Argentina’s path toward potential World Cup history. The piece traces the relationship beginning with Messi’s difficult international debut in Budapest in 2005, when Messi—sent off 45 seconds after coming on as a substitute—recorded only two passes, both attributed to Scaloni. It says Scaloni was also the first player to reach Messi in the tunnel after a 2006 group-stage goal versus Serbia and Montenegro, reinforcing a long-running, mentor-like bond. After the 2018 World Cup disappointment under Jorge Sampaoli, Scaloni was appointed as Argentina’s manager, initially seen as the lowest-cost option while he led training and friendlies. The article connects his “accidental” start to sustained development, with the prospect that Argentina could become only the third nation to defend the World Cup successfully. The excerpt ends as it mentions Messi’s earlier decision to quit the national team after a penalty shootout defeat.