Scaloni's confession when talking about Leonardo Balerdi and the decision to leave him out of the 2026 World Cup

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni admitted that the decision to exclude defender Leonardo Balerdi from the 2026 World Cup squad was one of the most difficult he has faced since taking charge of the national team. Scaloni expressed that the moment still brings him sadness.

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It was very sad. These are decisions that coaches make, and given our position at center-back, it was going to be hard to wait for him. It was extremely tough.

Speaking at the press conference following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup debut, Scaloni candidly discussed the defender, who emerged from Boca Juniors and now plays in Europe. "It was very sad," Scaloni stated. "These are decisions that coaches make, and given our situation at center-back, it was going to be hard to wait for him. It was extremely tough."

Scaloni also highlighted his long-standing relationship with Balerdi, having coached him since the U-20 team. "I had him in the U-20s, I care about him a lot, and I know what he can offer," he said, explaining the particular emotional weight of this determination.

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I had him in the U-20s, I care about him a lot, and I know what he can offer.

The coach revealed he had a personal conversation with Balerdi to explain the reasons behind the decision. "I spoke with him about what I had to speak about," he noted.

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I spoke with him about what I had to speak about.

Scaloni further explained that the impact of such exclusions extends beyond the player left out, affecting the entire squad. "They know what it's like to miss a World Cup. They know what it's like to be by that person's side when they go through a difficult situation," he concluded.

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They know what it's like to miss a World Cup. They know when someone goes through a difficult situation, what it is like to be by that person's side.