Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni quits press conference after struggling to contain his emotions
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni abandoned his post-match press conference in wake of their loss at the World Cup final.
While some of his players let their fists do the talking, the 48-year-old struggled to fight back tears after Spain reigned victorious on Sunday (19 July) and said the loss 'hurts his soul'.
As he discussed his 'sadness' with reporters, Scaloni was forced to exit the media briefing early while being overcome by emotion - and he cast doubt over his future at the helm of the national team.
The football manager - who led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup - couldn't disguise his heartbreak as he reflected on what was a memorable match for more reason than one.
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It was always going to be something of a movie, given that it involved Lionel Messi going head-to-head with wonderkid Lamine Yamal, but the chaos that unfolded still managed to surprise fans.
The half-time show went down like a lead balloon with the majority of people, despite stars including Madonna, Brazilian World Cup winners Ronaldinho and the original Ronaldo getting involved.
Spain dominated the game, but a goal only came in the 106th minute. Ferran Torres scored his first of the tournament - and he couldn't have been on target at a better time.
The 26-year-old forward, who was subbed on in the 62nd minute, reckons it was written in the stars for him.
"I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people [approximately the population of Spain], not just those of us that are here," Torres said after La Roja secured the win.
"Today destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We're far from our people today but we tried to be as close as possible to them.
"Finals are hard. When you have Messi on the opposing team you do get worried, but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we managed to do it once again.
"A huge relief [to score]. I've been criticised throughout the whole tournament but, as I said before, destiny was written.
"Thanks to God, he always gives me the strength to continue, and in the end he grants things to those that most deserve them."
Argentina were also down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez received a red card - and his teammate Leandro Paredes was also reportedly booked for brawling with Spain's players.
Their behaviour has been branded a 'disgrace' by pundits, as Argentinian stars Nahuel Molina and Paredes came to blows with the likes of Rodri, Eric Garcia and Gavi.
All of this proved too much for Argentina boss Scaloni, as he struggled to retain his composure while speaking to reporters about the 1-0 defeat.
He had hoped to secure another triumph at the World Cup, which would have made him the second manager in history to triumph in two consecutive tournaments. His contract expires in December.
"I will talk to the president," Scaloni said of what the future might hold for him. "I have an idea of what I would like to do.
"I will see out my contract and I feel the need, I don't know if something as big can be done. We need to speak this through. I am thankful to the president for bringing me this chance of being in this place where I am at the moment. It was a dream place for everyone. We have tried up until the very last minute to give our utmost, the staff and players. I believe it's only fair that I can take this time for myself to think this through."
While becoming increasingly emotional, he asked the media to 'bear with' him, according to the BBC, before adding: "I don't know if I can continue."
Scaloni then went on: "This place is wonderful, it is a dream place. We would never have imagined, including my staff, that we would be in this place.
"In order to continue you need a great deal of things, especially resetting your mind, rebooting, creating a group like this again. That is very difficult to create again.
"I think it's only right that I take this time to think about it all. It's a beautiful position to be in. It's somewhere I've dreamed of being. So to carry on, lots of things are necessary.
"Above all, we need time to reset and form another group like this one. It'll be hard to recreate this one. It hurts my soul, I'm sorry."
Scaloni then stood up and left the room to applause.
World Cup final halftime show artists ranked by their net worth
FIFA has put on an absolutely packed halftime show, with Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS co-headlining.
But onto the most important question: whose bank account is the healthiest…?
Here they are, ranked from very rich to very, very, very rich.
Gustavo Dudamel - $10 million
One of the lesser-known faces in the halftime show, Dudamel is a conductor and violinist who is leaving the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the New York Philharmonic in September.
Long story short, he’s not the kind of guy you’d expect to perform alongside Shakira and Justin Bieber.
According to Sportskeeda, he’s worth $10 million.
Burna Boy - $22 million
The Afrobeats artist has collaborated with Ed Sheeran, Dave and Shakira on hit songs, the latter being the 2026 World Cup anthem ‘Dai Dai’.
He’s worth a cool $22 million, according to Love Money.
BTS - $150 million to $350 million collectively
Recently back from a hiatus after completing compulsory military service, the K-pop group’s inclusion in the halftime show is sure to delight many.
Of the seven members, V is said to be the wealthiest, worth between $38 million and 40 million according to the Economic Times.
Collectively, they’re worth between $150 million and $350 million.
Justin Bieber - $200 million
Bieber made a generational comeback earlier this year at Coachella, marking his biggest live show in four years - and it certainly got everyone talking.
Is the World Cup ready for his laptop and YouTube Premium account?
He’s worth $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which happens to be the sum he sold his music back catalogue for back in 2023.
Shakira - $350 million
Her hips don’t lie, and neither do her paycheques. Shakira is the most successful Colombian artist in history, shifting over 100 million records worldwide.
Alongside Burna Boy, she’s responsible for the 2026 World Cup song ‘Dai Dai’, and who could forget 2010’s ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ for the South Africa World Cup.
She’s said to be worth $350 million, according to Marca.
Madonna - $850 million
Madonna is one of the wealthiest female musicians in history, with her latest album Confessions II dropping this month and naturally debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
With hits including ‘Like a Prayer’, ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ and ‘Like a Virgin’, it’s no surprise she’s absolutely rolling in it - she’s worth $850 million, according to Forbes.
Olivia Burke