Argentina Still Waiting on Scaloni as Diego Placente's Name Rises Within the Coaching Staff

No date, no confirmation, no hint. Nearly 20 days after the final that closed out the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine national team still doesn't know who will be leading it in the next FIFA window. And we're talking about Lionel Scaloni, the most successful coach in Albiceleste history.

Scaloni's contract runs out in December, and that's the only certainty the coach himself has given. Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, the AFA president, wants to renew him as soon as possible. But the silence from Pujato is starting to raise eyebrows, and in the middle of it all a name has emerged that could reshape the entire coaching staff: Diego Placente.

Journalist Esteban Edul reported it this Friday on ESPN F12: Placente, who has been working with Argentina's youth national teams since 2017, has a real shot at joining the senior team's coaching staff. The catch: it depends on Scaloni staying on.

If Scaloni renews as coach of the Albiceleste, Samuel would leave the national team to begin his career as a head coach on his own. The idea from the coaching staff and the AFA is for Placente to replace Samuel. But we'll have to see whether Scaloni continues or not.Esteban Edul

That brings another key figure into the story: Walter Samuel. Eight years fully immersed in the coaching staff, with two Copa Americas, a Finalissima and the Qatar World Cup under his belt, "Kaiser" wants to try his hand as a head coach in Europe on his own. His departure is all but certain, regardless of what Scaloni decides.

What's causing concern behind the scenes is something else: Scaloni's own motivation to start a completely different chapter, one without Messi on the field. Edul was very clear on that point.

Sources close to Scaloni mention some hesitation about continuing, similar to what happened before, over whether he's still motivated to take on a new stage, now without Messi. And starting from zero now isn't the same for him as it was at the beginning of his cycle. They must be worried other players will also stop playing, as already happened with Di Maria and Otamendi, and Paredes has left his own future in doubt.Esteban Edul

Within the AFA there's optimism, and officials insist the negotiation is on track, though they admit they have no certainty about what Scaloni will ultimately decide. That lack of direction shows up in another telling detail: there's still no squad list for the upcoming friendlies, which is unusual given that the coach typically announces it a week in advance. Last Sunday the deadline passed for reserving players with their clubs, and little to nothing leaked out, suggesting the biggest stars won't be included in this window and that there will be room for new faces as the next cycle begins. The following window, in November, looks like the ideal moment for a possible tribute to Messi, with more time to plan it.

A Cycle That Changed History

To understand what's at stake, it helps to look back at the road that got here. It all began at the 2021 Copa America, when Argentina snapped a 28-year title drought by beating Brazil 1-0 at the Maracana, with a goal from Angel Di Maria. It was Messi's first title with the senior national team and the birth of the Scaloneta as we know it: a united, confident group beloved by the fans.

Next came the Finalissima against Italy at Wembley, won convincingly 3-0, and then the biggest chapter of all: the 2022 Qatar World Cup, won on penalties against France in an unforgettable final. The back-to-back Copa America title came in 2024 with an extra-time win over Colombia, thanks to a goal from Lautaro Martinez. That's the weight behind any decision about Scaloni's future: this isn't just about a coach, it's about the architect of the most successful era in Argentine soccer history.