The other Lionel

Lionel Scaloni took charge of a broken Argentina team in 2018. For two matches. For only two matches.

Those two matches, and 55 more from there, Lionel Scaloni, the comparatively less celebrated Lionel of the Albiceleste, has led his nation to the top of the footballing world.

Scaloni, who only had seven caps for the Argentina national team, was a part of the 2006 World Cup squad, the first for the other Lionel in his team. In 2016, when Lionel Messi retired after yet another Copa America final defeat, Scaloni posted a photo of the Argentine surrounded by Chilean players and asked him to not retire.

And now, Scaloni has helped Messi achieve that desired dream and etched his name into the book of immortality, where only Cesar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo had their name taken before.

The 44-year-old stepped into the World Cup as the youngest coach of the tournament, but he has proved his mettle majestically by outclassing the likes of Louis Van Gaal and Didier Deschamps.

Especially his decision to field Angel Di Maria in the final despite the winger not playing much part in the last two knockout games was a masterclass. Di Maria toyed with the French defence, and Scaloni’s 4-3-3 absolutely ran riot as France did not even have a sniff until Nicolas Otamendi’s brain-fade penalty.

Scaloni, whose appointment was disapproved by Diego Maradona, has proved to be the Argentine to break their curse of not lifting the biggest prize in world football after 36 years.

He took time. Four years of it. And built a team of World Champions. And in celebration, he was sobbing. Soaked in tears, Scaloni brought out the #18 jersey he wore on his Argentina debut, and with tear-filled eyes, he showed that determination and desire do make dreams come true.

Scaloni likes to say that whatever happens, the sun will rise the next day. The sun will keep coming up, and when it does from now on, it will be a tad brighter for the Argentine mastermind.