Lionel Scaloni could end up following Lionel Messi's decision to leave Argentina national team as reports claim that his contract renewal has taken a U-turn. Securing Lionel Scaloni‘s long-term future as Argentina‘s head coach has emerged as the primary mandate for the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as preparations begin for the 2030 World Cup cycle. However, the manager could follow Lionel Messi out the door, as reports indicate extension talks have hit an unexpected impasse. Lionel Messi’s announcement of his retirement from the national team caught football executives off guard, concluding a 21-year international tenure with the Albiceleste. Scaloni remains under contract through December 2026 and intends to honor that agreement, but his willingness to commit beyond that date remains in question. According to reporting from Argentine insider Veronica Brunatti, Scaloni signaled to AFA president Claudio Tapia that he is experiencing fatigue from the demands of managing the national team. While federation executives remain eager to lock him into a long-term agreement, negotiations regarding his future remain on hold. The manager’s uncertainty aligns with two pivotal shifts: Messi’s international exit and Argentina‘s recent loss in the 2026 World Cup final. Navigating the departure of the program’s defining icon while phasing out veterans to initiate a new cycle toward 2030 presents a daunting mental workload for Scaloni, whose deep emotional bond with his core group has been well-documented throughout his tenure. #SelecciónMayor Se cumplen ocho años desde la llegada de Lionel Scaloni a la Selección Argentina.🚍 Ocho años de #Scaloneta y de siempre pelear arriba.🏆 Cuatro títulos, entre ellos la máxima gesta en Qatar 2022 🌎🙌 Ocho años de trabajo, pasión y gloria. pic.twitter.com/8AavEHhPvz— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) September 7, 2026 On Monday, September 7, Scaloni completed eight full years in charge of the national team, a milestone acknowledged across AFA’s official media channels. Reporting from TyC Sports and journalist Gaston Edul confirms that while formal contract extension negotiations have not officially opened, Scaloni is fully aware of AFA’s intent to keep him at the helm. Argentina coaching staff member on the brink of leaving While serving as the public face of Argentina’s tactical renaissance, Scaloni has frequently credited his supporting staff, comprising former national team icons Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala, and Walter Samuel, with shaping the culture behind the country’s recent championship run. Now, one of those key pillars is preparing to depart. According to Brunatti, assistant coach Walter Samuel has made the decision to pursue a head coaching career. The former Inter Milan central defender sees his contract expire alongside Scaloni’s in December 2026, and he intends to seek his first senior managerial role in Europe following eight years on Argentina’s bench. As a respected defensive strategist, Samuel oversaw set-piece preparation and defensive organization for the national team. With Scaloni set to lose a key pillar of his brain trust, questions surrounding his own willingness to lead Argentina into the 2030 cycle continue to intensify.
Martin Keown after Arsenal’s win over Napoli (Picture: TNT Sports) Martin Keown felt World Cup winner Mikel Merino ‘missed an opportunity’ in Arsenal’s Champions League win over Napoli. The Premier League champions kick-started their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Serie A side Napoli on Wednesday night. The Gunners were the better side throughout but looked set to pay the price for some wasteful finishing as the score remained goalless with 15 minutes remaining. But Martin Odegaard ensured Arsenal began their European campaign with three points, slotting home his fourth goal in five games. Sign up for In The Mixer, Metro's football newsletter Get exclusive analysis and previews of the biggest games every Friday. Sign up now for free. Mikel Arteta’s side are hoping to go one better in the Champions League this season after losing to PSG in last season’s final. Keown sees no reason why Arsenal will not once again challenge to become European champions and says their ‘hunger and determination’ was there for all to see against Napoli. The Gunners legend was impressed by Odegaard, Declan Rice and Piero Hincapie but felt Merino ‘missed an opportunity’ after a rare start ended in a 65th-minute substituion. Martin Odegaard scored Arsenal’s winner in Naples (Picture: Getty) Merino helped Spain win the World Cup over the summer but could still struggle for game-time this season given Arteta’s embarrassment of riches in the midfield positions. ‘I thought Mikel Merino coming back into midfield missed an opportunity tonight,’ Keown said on TNT Sports. ‘We missed him last season but I thought he was a little rusty on his first start for a while. ‘But overall it’s looking good for Arsenal. The drive and determination and hunger is there. Mikel Merino was subbed off by Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) ‘Those Napoli players will tell you that Arsenal are going to go all the way again this season because that will have been one of the most difficult games they would have been involved in. ‘Martin Odegaard is the icing on the cake. Shooting from outside the box, I can’t remember the last time he did that. He looks like the real deal.’ Joe Cole also singled out Odegaard for praise after Arsenal beat Italian giants Napoli, describing his performance as ‘brilliant’. Great play 😮💨Martin Ødegaard rounds off a wonderful passing move for Arsenal 🔥📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/FrH6gW8Ak4— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 9, 2026 ‘Martin Odegaard was brilliant all night,’ the former Chelsea and England star said. ‘He is back to his very, very best. ‘He is probably thinking even though they won the league last season, he didn’t have a good season personally. He looks like the player we admired 18 months ago, he was brilliant. ‘Everything runs through Martin Odegaard. He can stand still and find space. He is at the peak of his powers and it is beautiful to watch. ‘You can’t help but love watching him play his football.’ Meanwhile, Arteta described his Arsenal captain as ‘decisive’ after the Gunners’ Champions League opener. ‘Martin is contributing with goals that are impacting results which is what we want from our attacking players,’ he said. ‘We want them to be decisive and certainly he was again today.’ Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday against Sunderland. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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