Lionel Sebastián Scaloni is an Argentine retired footballer, and the current manager of the Argentina national team. A player of wide range, he operated as a right back or right midfielder. He spent most of his professional career with Deportivo in Spain, amassing totals of 258 games and 15 goals over 12 seasons in La Liga with three teams. He also played several years in Italy, with Lazio and Atalanta. Scaloni won seven caps for Argentina between 2003 and 2006, and was part of their 2006 World Cup squad.
Scaloni left West Ham after a permanent move could not be agreed. Deportivo released him on 1 September 2006 alongside Diego Tristán, one day after the close of the summer transfer window. However, due to the fact there were no limitations for free agents, two weeks later Scaloni signed a one-year contract at Racing de Santander, The Cantabrians subsequently finished in mid table. He appeared – and started – in both games against his former club, both ending in 0–0 draws.
Italy
On 30 June 2007, Scaloni moved to S.S. Lazio in Italy's Serie A on a five-year deal. In January of the following year he returned to Spain, on loan to RCD Mallorca for 18 months; he subsequently returned to Rome, where he was rarely used in the following three seasons. Aged nearly 35, Scaloni joined Atalanta B.C. in January 2013. He was released at the end of the campaign, but re-signed after he failed to find a new club.
International
After making his debut for Argentina on 30 April 2003 in a friendly match with Libya, Scaloni was a surprise selection for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, taking the place of veteran Javier Zanetti who also played as a right-wingback. His only appearance of the tournament was the 2–1 extra timeround of 16 win against Mexico on 24 June 2006 at the Zentralstadion, which he started and finished.
Coaching career
On 11 October 2016, Scaloni joined compatriot Jorge Sampaoli's coaching staff at Sevilla FC. In June 2017, when the latter was appointed as the new national team boss, he was again named his assistant. One year later, after the country's failure at the World Cup in Russia, Scaloni and Pablo Aimar were named caretaker managers until the end of the year. In November 2018, the former was confirmed in the post until the following June when the 2019 Copa América was due to take place, and led the side to a final third place in Brazil.
Personal life
Scaloni's older brother, Mauro, also belonged to Deportivo, but never made it beyond its reserve team. In April 2019, he was run over while cycling in Calvià. Some media initially reported him to be in serious condition, but he was discharged a few hours later.
