What happened
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente share a coaching relationship that dates back to 2017. The two met again at a pre-final FIFA Fanatics event, where their long embrace highlighted the personal side of an otherwise high-stakes final.
Scaloni enrolled for his UEFA Pro coaching licence at the Spanish Football Federation academy in Las Rozas, and de la Fuente was one of the instructors.
Background and earlier position
The coaching link shows how elite football often depends on formal training systems as much as match-day talent. Luis de la Fuente is presented as believing that the footballing ideas of Spain and Argentina are closer than many people think.
Scaloni said he knows Luis de la Fuente personally, but not all of his football thoughts. Scaloni also noted that Spain has already reached a European Championship final and a UEFA Nations League final under de la Fuente, which signals experience at the top level.
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