Lionel Scaloni confirms stance over Argentina contract talks ahead of Bolivia friendly

By Ben Sully | 30 Sep 2026 18:10, Last updated: 30 Sep 2026 18:12

Argentina caput manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed helium plans to widen his declaration with the nationalist team.

La Albiceleste  are going done a play of alteration pursuing the retirements of Nicolas Otamendi and Lionel Messi, the second of whom volition marque his last quality successful a affable against Benin connected October 6.

There had been concerns that Scaloni would besides permission his presumption aft helium appeared to formed uncertainty connected his aboriginal aft the World Cup. 

However, it was precocious reported that the Argentina Football Association (AFA) are confident of agreeing caller presumption with the 48-year-old, whose existent woody volition expire astatine the extremity of 2026.

Scaloni addresses Argentina declaration talks

Scaloni has present added further anticipation to a caller agreement, explaining determination is simply a "willingness" to widen his eight-year tenure.

"I spoke concisely with President Tapia to spot if we tin determination guardant and scope an agreement," Scaloni told reporters connected Tuesday arsenic per Marca. 

"We person these matches up of us, but it's conscionable a substance of reaching an agreement. The willingness is there, and that's what's important.

"I'm determined to continue, anxious to support going, and acceptable to scope an agreement. When we person something, we'll denote it."

Argentina to statesman tally of 3 friendlies 

Scaloni was speaking up of Wednesday's affable against Bolivia, Argentina's archetypal outing since losing 1-0 to Spain successful the World Cup last connected July 19.

They volition past instrumentality connected Burkina Faso connected Saturday earlier turning their absorption to Messi's farewell crippled connected Tuesday.

Scaloni has already confirmed that Messi's fig 10 volition not beryllium handed to different subordinate until the Inter Miami prima has officially brought the curtain down connected his planetary career.

However, helium has already made a determination arsenic to who volition regenerate Messi arsenic captain, handing the honour to Atletico Madrid defender Cristian Romero.