Lionel Scaloni is the coach who delivered Argentina’s golden era, the man who ended a 28-year trophy drought and then led them to World Cup glory. As he guides the defending champions into the 2026 World Cup, he does so as one of the most successful managers in his country’s history. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Who is Lionel Scaloni?
Scaloni was a hard-working right-back in his playing days, best known for a long spell at Deportivo La Coruna along with stints at West Ham and Lazio, and he was part of Argentina’s 2006 World Cup squad. He moved into coaching as an assistant with the national team before being handed the top job, a bold call given he had never been a senior head coach.
From surprise hire to serial winner
Few appointments have aged better. Named Argentina manager in 2018 as a relatively unknown quantity, Scaloni built a team with a fierce identity and unshakable spirit. In 2021 he ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Copa America, beating Brazil at the Maracana, and that was only the beginning.
Lionel Scaloni’s managerial honours
In just a few years, Scaloni has assembled a trophy haul that puts him among Argentina’s greatest-ever coaches. His major honours are below.
| Team | Honours |
|---|---|
| Argentina | FIFA World Cup (2022), Copa América (2021, 2024), Finalissima (2022) |
Add the 2022 Finalissima win over Italy, and Scaloni has turned Argentina into the most consistent winners in world football.
The World Cup-winning architect
His crowning moment came at the 2022 World Cup, where Argentina beat France in a dramatic final, 3-3 after extra time and won on penalties, to lift the trophy for the first time since 1986. Scaloni was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach for 2022, and he proved it was no fluke by adding the 2024 Copa America, Argentina’s record 16th, two years later.
Argentina and the World Cup 2026 mission
Argentina are among the favourites to retain their crown, and Scaloni’s side is built around captain Lionel Messi in what is set to be his final World Cup. For our wider coverage, see the World Cup 2026 final predictions and the World Cup 2026 hub.
How Scaloni set up against Algeria
Argentina’s opener was a statement. Scaloni set the team up in a 4-4-2 and they were ruthless, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria, the captain striking in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes. It was the kind of controlled, clinical performance that has defined Scaloni’s reign.
Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup 2026 start
Scaloni could hardly have scripted a better opening night for the holders. Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, and Messi’s hat-trick, his first at a World Cup, drew him level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament scoring record of 16 goals. The defending champions look every bit the team to beat.
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Lionel Scaloni is an Argentine football coach and the head coach of Argentina’s men’s national team since 2018. A former right-back, he led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title.
Yes. He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, beating France on penalties in the final, and was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach that year.
Scaloni has won the 2022 World Cup, the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima, ending Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy.
Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their opener, with a Lionel Messi hat-trick, as the defending champions made a statement start.