Lionel Scaloni agreed on Thursday to continue working as head coach of the Argentina national soccer team until the end of the 2030 World Cup. The deal ended speculation over his future that had swirled since Argentina's defeat in this year's World Cup final.
According to the AFP news agency, Claudio Tapia, head of the Argentine Football Association, announced the extension of his contract at a joint press conference with the 48-year-old Escaloni.
Scaloni, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, told reporters he was still as eager as "day one".
Tapia announced that Scaloni will become Argentina's most capped World Cup head coach at the end of his new contract. He has been in charge of Argentina for eight years.
Scaloni expressed doubts about continuing to work with the national team after Argentina's 1-0 defeat by Spain in the tense 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey.
Scaloni now faces the challenge of continuing the team's path without Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old and influential star of Argentina.