ARGENTINA head coach Lionel Scaloni had a brief moment of sadness last night amid the celebration when he was reminded that Diego Maradona was not in Doha with the team to revel in the Qatar 2022 World Cup triumph
Scaloni led his side to beat France 4-2 on penalties following an edge-of-your-seat 3-3 draw after extra time at the Lusail Stadium last night.
It was Argentina’s first World Cup title since Maradona inspired them to glory in 1986.
Maradona played for Argentina between 1977 and 1994, captaining them to the World Cup title in 1986 and the 1990 final where they lost 1-0 to Germany.
The Argentine idol died in November 2020 at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
His death was followed by three days of national mourning, showing how much he is worshipped in Argentina.
When he was asked what he would say to Maradona if he had been present, Scaloni told reporters: “Well, you make me realise that he’s not here, otherwise you’d think he was amongst us.
“Well fortunately we managed to lift this trophy, something we’ve been dreaming of for so long, we’re such a football passionate country.
“I hope he enjoyed it from above. I’m sure if he was here he’d have enjoyed it so much, he’d have been the first one on the pitch.
“Now you ask me this you make me realise he’s not here. I wish he was here to enjoy this moment.”
