Argentina coach Scaloni discusses stopping Lamine ...

By Priya Nair — 18 July 2026 — 3 min read

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has addressed the challenge of containing Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Scaloni humorously suggested that the only way to stop the young player would be to keep him off the pitch, highlighting Yamal’s significant impact throughout the tournament.

The upcoming final will see Spain and Argentina compete for the international football title. Yamal has garnered considerable attention leading up to the match due to his exceptional performances, which have made him a key figure for Spain and earned him praise from both opponents and teammates.

Scaloni’s assessment of Yamal

When asked about strategies to neutralise the Barcelona attacker, Scaloni initially responded with a light-hearted remark. He stated, “How to stop Yamal? I wish we could lock Lamine in his room.”

Following his humorous comment, Scaloni offered a more serious assessment of Yamal’s talent and rapid ascent in football. He described Yamal as “a fantastic player, a treasure for football,” noting his youth and potential to contribute much more to the sport. This acknowledgment underscores the winger’s impressive development despite his young age.

Scaloni’s remarks came after Yamal had previously commented on the strength of teams in the World Cup. Yamal had referred to a semifinal match between Spain and France as an “early final,” considering them the “two best teams at the World Cup,” without including Argentina in his assessment. Scaloni, however, agreed with Yamal’s perspective, stating he saw nothing wrong with the comment and acknowledging that the match was indeed an early final. He also mentioned that Spain and France were considered among the favourites even before the tournament began.

Argentina’s preparations for Spain

Despite the focus on Yamal, Scaloni emphasised that Argentina is preparing to face a complete Spain side rather than concentrating solely on one individual player. He expressed concern about all aspects of Spain’s team, stating, “Everything about Spain worries me.”

The Argentina coaching staff has been analysing Luis de la Fuente‘s Spain team for months, anticipating a potential encounter in the later stages of the tournament. Scaloni confirmed that they have been monitoring Spain since December as a prospective World Cup opponent, though not more intensely than any other team. He noted that they had considered various scenarios and understood Spain’s playing style.

The reigning World Cup champions have closely followed Spain’s progress throughout the tournament. They anticipate a challenging match against De la Fuente’s side, whose possession-based approach has been instrumental in Spain reaching another major final. Scaloni’s team is preparing for what they expect to be one of their toughest tests under the current Spain coach.

Scaloni was also questioned about Lionel Messi and whether the final could mark his last appearance in a World Cup. The Argentina coach admitted he did not know what the future held for Messi, stating, “I don’t know, what do I know? I haven’t got a clue. Because he never ceases to surprise us.” He added that it was a question for Messi himself, as he had not discussed it with him.

Scaloni’s comments regarding Yamal and Spain were made ahead of Argentina’s crucial quarterfinal match against Switzerland, where a place in the World Cup semifinals was at stake.

The Argentina coach’s focus remains on the collective strength of Spain, even as individual talents like Yamal draw significant attention. The team’s thorough preparation reflects their respect for Spain’s overall capabilities under De la Fuente.

The final match is set to be a significant event, with both teams having demonstrated strong performances throughout the tournament. Scaloni’s detailed analysis of Spain underscores the importance of the upcoming encounter.

Argentina is just one victory away from reaching the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.