Lionel Messi and Argentina's attempt to repeat as World Cup winners fell short at this year's event, with the team suffering a 1-0 loss to a defensively dominant Spain.
The loss may have also featured multiple careers ending for individuals involved with Argentina, including 39-year-old soccer superstar Messi and Argentina's head coach, Lionel Scaloni. The former appeared in his sixth World Cup and may now call it a career.
Scaloni, 48, is also contemplating his next move and addressed his future as Argentina's coach after the loss.
"I will talk with the president [of the Argentina federation], but I more or less have an idea of what I want to do. I will complete my contract and then see," he said in post-match remarks, per ESPN.
Scaloni indicated he wasn't sure if he could continue to "do something as grand as this" and mentioned his appreciation of being put in the position, also reiterating he'd need time to think things over.
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He became emotional in the final moments of his press conference after reflecting on his time as manager and apologized to the media before getting up and leaving in tears.
Scaloni previously took over as interim manager of Argentina in 2018 when Jorge Sampaoli departed after the team's World Cup failure. Scaloni was ultimately named manager and would go on to coach Messi and Argentina to a 2022 World Cup win, as the team defeated Kylian Mbappe and France in the final.
In 104 matches as Argentina's coach, Scaloni has 76 wins, 18 draws, and 10 losses, and that impressive World Cup victory.
Unfortunately, his side was unable to finish the job this year to repeat as champions. Argentina had several thrilling games in which they came back to win, with Messi usually becoming the hero in one way or another. Even when he wasn't scoring goals, he was finding a way to make an impact.
Scaloni's team bested England to reach the final, with Messi serving up a pair of assists to help his side tie and then win the game, 2-1. In the final, they couldn't overcome a very sound and defensive Spain team that allowed no shots on goal for Messi or any of his teammates throughout the game, stoppage time, and extra time.
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