BUENOS AIRES (AP) — While coach LionelScaloni continues to mull over his future at the helm of Argentina's national team, his players have left no doubt about where they stand.
“For me, he is one of the most important coaches," midfielder Nicolás Paz said upon arriving in Buenos Aires on Tuesday for training camp. “He gave me my debut, and I hope he stays.”
Scaloni, whose contract is set to expire in December, had hinted at stepping down following Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final in July. He remains in negotiations with the Argentine Football Association over a potential extension.
Veteran defender Cristian Romero added: “We hope he stays. He is the key figure in building this national team, so obviously we want him to continue.”
Other squad members echoed the sentiment. Defender Leonardo Balerdi called it “a privilege” if Scaloni remains, while Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni highlighted the manager’s impact, stating, “He gave everything to the national team in recent times and made all Argentines very happy.”
Goalkeeper Juan Musso emphasized the deep connection within the squad: “Given the success he’s had and what he built with this team, we hold him in high regard and have great affection for him.”
Since taking charge eight years ago, the 48-year-old Scaloni has overseen one of the most dominant runs in international football.
As the architect behind the 2022 World Cup title and back-to-back Copa América victories in 2021 and 2024, Scaloni boasts a remarkable record over 104 matches: 76 wins, 18 draws, and just 10 losses.
Argentina lost to Spain 1-0 in the World Cup final in July. Scaloni orchestrated the longest undefeated streak in Argentine history, spanning 36 games.
Scaloni has not spoken publicly since returning to Argentina, but he is scheduled to address the media in a press conference next Tuesday ahead of the opening friendly against Bolivia in Córdoba.
Adding to the emotional weight of the upcoming international window, Argentina will host friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6. The final match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires will serve as an official farewell to captain Lionel Messi, following his announcement of international retirement.
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FILE - Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks during a news conference ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in New York on July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (AP) — England extended its white-ball dominance over Sri Lanka by winning the first one-day international by 89 runs on the back of a 67 by captain Harry Brook and a five-wicket haul by part-time spinner Will Jacks.
It comes after England won the T20 series between the countries 3-0 last week.
Jacks (5-22) had also contributed with the bat by providing crucial late-innings runs for England with 46 not out before the hosts were restricted to 265.
Sri Lanka never threatened on a slow, low pitch and was all out for 176.
Brook hit England's only half-century but contributions also came from opener Ben Duckett (32), Joe Root (44) and Jos Buttler (31).
For the visitors, debutant legspinner Sachindu Colombage (3-44) claimed the wickets of Root and Buttler in an impressive first international cricket match.
Colombage, a 28-year-old spinner with an unusual action and plenty of drift in his deliveries, bowled Root — who become the eighth batter to pass 23,000 runs in international cricket — for a notable first wicket in internationals and later got rid of another dangerman by trapping Buttler lbw.
Jacks' total included four consecutive boundaries off the third-to-last over — but the hosts failed to bat out their overs, getting dismissed with 11 balls remaining.
England was without spinner Adil Rashid because of an injury to his bowling hand that will lead to him missing the entire series. Tom Banton opened the batting in the absence of Jacob Bethell for just his second ODI in six years, and made 10.
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England's Tom Banton celerbates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Pavan Rathnayake during the 1st one day cricket international between England and Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street, England, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage, left, celebrates the wicket of England's Ben Duckett during the 1st one day international cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street, England, Tuesday Sept. 22, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
England's Joe Root bats during the 1st one day international cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street, England, Tuesday Sept. 22, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
England's Jos Buttler bats during the 1st one day international cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street, England, Tuesday Sept. 22, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Sri Lanka players celebrate the wicket of England's Jos Butler during the 1st one day international cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street, England, Tuesday Sept. 22, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
England's Harry Brook bats during the 1st one day international cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in Chester-le-Street, England, Tuesday Sept. 22, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
