Scaloni's secret to taming the egos of a star-studded squad

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's World Cup-winning coach, demonstrated a delicate aspect of his leadership by benching key player Rodrigo De Paul before the semifinal against England. De Paul, a long-standing teammate of Lionel Messi and a player Scaloni felt personally identified with, was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup.

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How could it not hurt me to leave Rodrigo on the bench? He's a kid who has given us so much; I feel identified with him. I was a bit like him on the field.

Scaloni later admitted the decision pained him. "How could it not hurt me to leave Rodrigo on the bench? He's a kid who has given us so much; I feel identified with him. I was a bit like him on the field," Scaloni confessed in a post-match press conference. Despite the emotional difficulty, the decision did not fracture the team's unity, allowing Argentina to advance to the final.

Fabián Jalife, a social psychologist and director of BMC consultancy, has studied Scaloni's methods for years, culminating in the documentary series "El método Scaloni." Jalife describes Scaloni's leadership as a rare blend of "emotional closeness and discipline." He explains that Scaloni manages to be both highly approachable and demanding, creating an environment where players feel connected but also understand the existence of rules and boundaries. This authority is built on relationships, not fear.

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As a very infrequent combination of emotional closeness and discipline.

This leadership approach was crucial when Scaloni had to make tough calls, such as De Paul's benching. It prevented the decision from being perceived as a punishment or betrayal. De Paul later entered the match in the 72nd minute, contributing to Argentina's comeback victory.

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Generally we find very affective leaders, but not very demanding, or very demanding leaders, but emotionally distant. Scaloni combines both things. The players feel enormous closeness with him, but they also know that there are rules and limits. It is an authority built from the bond and not from fear.

Another instance highlighted by Jalife involves Leandro Paredes, who also lost his starting position during the World Cup. Despite potential frustration, Paredes's immediate embrace of Scaloni after the championship win underscored the deep trust and respect built within the team. This bond was further evident during a quarter-final match against Switzerland, where Scaloni and Paredes were seen intensely discussing tactics during a hydration break, showcasing their shared commitment and understanding.

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He says he needed to thank him. That is extraordinary because it shows that the relationship was built on something deeper than starting.