Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni, a resident of Bunyola, has acknowledged that Spain deserved the World Cup title after last Sunday’s final.
Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni, who resides in Bunyola (Mallorca), has publicly admitted that Spain was a deserving winner of the World Cup after his team’s 1-0 defeat in the final held last Sunday. Scaloni, who is currently at his home in Pujato, his hometown in the province of Santa Fe, has attended to hundreds of fans who have come to thank him for the tournament held.
“Was the refereeing unfair? No, no, we lost because they were better, that’s to be acknowledged. We arrived just, that’s the reality. Sometimes you have to acknowledge that the opponent is better, they won well and, by admitting it, we will be better and stronger, for sure,” Scaloni declared to local media.
The coach, who is facing the final months of his contract at the helm of the albiceleste, has expressed surprise at the conspiracy theories that have circulated in Argentina and in some media, which questioned the legitimacy of Spain’s victory. “I think I’ll have to stay a few more days, I must attend to them all, if I can,” Scaloni added, referring to the numerous displays of affection he receives in his hometown.
From his home in Bunyola, where he usually resides, Scaloni closely follows the current affairs of Argentinian football. His public acknowledgment of Spain’s merit has been well received in the Balearic football community, where the coach is a beloved figure. Residents of Bunyola have expressed their pride in having a coach of his stature, and they trust that his honesty will help to ease the tension generated after the final.
Other Argentinian internationals have also supported Scaloni’s words. Facundo Medina, a player for Olympique de Marseille, addressed fans from the balcony of his parents’ house in Villa Caraza, Lanús, asking them to “please, don’t believe in nonsense. They won well. It was just a football match. Think that in life, there are more important things than a football match. What matters is to be good people and humble, that’s what’s important.”
For his part, Leandro Paredes, who returned to Argentinian football to play for Boca Juniors, also spoke out after his team’s victory over O’Higgins. “Spain was superior to us in the final and, therefore, is the rightful winner of the World Cup. We don’t pay attention to all those conspiracy theories that emerged. If I paid attention to what I hear and read, I would go crazy,” said the controversial midfielder, who had already been involved in an incident with Eric García in the New Jersey final.
Paredes, however, wanted to highlight the journey taken by the Argentinian national team in recent years: “We had a fantastic World Cup and, therefore, we should enjoy what we have achieved and won in these last eight years, which is a lot and very significant. It was a spectacular process.”
The statements from the Argentinian footballers contrast with the discontent of a part of the fanbase, who still struggle to digest the defeat. However, from the national team’s environment, there is insistence on the need to accept the result and congratulate the champion. Scaloni, who has yet to decide his future, has received support from the Argentinian Federation and from the players, who value his honesty.
In Mallorca, the news has had a special impact, as Scaloni is just another resident of the municipality of Bunyola, in the Serra de Tramuntana. His figure has always been highly regarded on the island, where he has participated in local events and shown his love for the Mallorcan landscape. The Bunyola Town Hall has sent a message of support to the coach, highlighting his “humility and sportsmanship.”
The World Cup final, held at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, left a great taste in the mouth of the Spanish fans, who celebrated the title in style. In Argentina, however, the defeat has been hard to accept, but the words of their leaders help to refocus on the sporting aspect. Scaloni, who will remain in Pujato for a few more days, plans to return to Bunyola next week to resume his daily life.
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