Scaloni emotional as Palermo and Djalminha surprise him at World Cup press conference

Argentina's head coach, Lionel Scaloni, was visibly moved during a pre-match press conference ahead of the team's 2026 World Cup debut against Algeria. The emotional moment occurred when Martín Palermo, a former teammate and renowned striker, approached the podium to ask a question.

“

What a joy to see you, Martín. It moves me. I hadn't seen you.

Scaloni, visibly teary-eyed, expressed his surprise and joy at seeing Palermo. "What a joy to see you, Martín. It moves me. I hadn't seen you," Scaloni said. Palermo responded, speaking not as a journalist but as a former teammate, recalling their shared positive experiences at Estudiantes de La Plata and asking Scaloni if he had ever imagined reaching such heights.

“

I don't speak to you as a journalist, I speak to you as a teammate we were. My question was from that time we shared, from the good moments at Estudiantes. I wanted to ask you: did you imagine all this?

Scaloni spoke warmly of Palermo, calling him a "friend of football" and recalling how Palermo had supported him during a difficult period when he was not playing. "He behaved very well with me," Scaloni stated. "He was one of those who opened the doors for me." He assured the team would give their maximum effort in the upcoming match.

“

He behaved very well with me. Before my very beautiful time at Estudiantes, I was without playing for four months and he was one of those who opened the doors for me. He is a friend of football. Martín, I appreciate you a lot.

Later, another familiar face appeared among the journalists: Djalma Feitosa Dias, known as Djalminha, the talented Brazilian midfielder with whom Scaloni played at Deportivo La Coruña in Spain. Djalminha kept his question brief due to the heat, wishing Scaloni good luck. Scaloni recognized him with a smile, playfully remarking that Palermo was a better player, but praising Djalminha's skill and expressing his affection. Scaloni also noted the unique situation of a Brazilian supporting Argentina, emphasizing that football rivalries are just that – rivalries – and that he valued his Brazilian teammates.

“

I'm not going to take long with the question, we're dying of heat here. I wanted to wish you all the luck in the world, man.