World Cup: Argentina coach in tears after losing final, says 'it's really too painful'

Lionel Scaloni, the head coach of Argentina, was visibly emotional after his team's defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, which dashed their hopes of a consecutive title. Scaloni expressed profound regret and acknowledged the immense difficulty of the loss.

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I really am in so much pain, I am so sorry...

"I really am in so much pain, I am so sorry..." Scaloni stated, his voice thick with emotion, before leaving the press conference. He explained that the team faced challenges with defensive injuries and midfielder Enzo Fernández's second-half red card, which he felt was a preventable yellow card that ultimately weakened their ability to compete against a strong Spanish side.

Scaloni also took time to laud the performance of 39-year-old captain Lionel Messi. "He is 39 years old, it's unbelievable," Scaloni said, emphasizing that Messi has nothing left to prove on the international stage and that his future with the national team rests solely on his own decision.

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He is 39 years old, it's unbelievable.

The coach reflected on the team's journey, stating that leading the squad and fighting for the fans had been a dream. He indicated a need for personal reflection before deciding whether to continue his coaching tenure, acknowledging the significant effort required to build such a competitive team.

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He has nothing left to prove, he always knows that, as long as he wants to play, he will continue to play, we will all support him.