Argentina may have clinched a Qatar 2022 berth, but the South American Qualifiers are far from being over. On Thursday, January 27, La Albiceleste will make the trip to Calama to take on Chile – but they’ll do so without manager Lionel Scaloni.
This international window was already strange for them given that they have already qualified for the World Cup and Lionel Messi won’t be part of the squad for the next two matches. Now, things got even more awkward as their headcoach won’t be in the dugout.
Assistant coaches Roberto Ayala and Walter Samuel will be in charge of the team aiming to extend Argentina’s unbeaten run. Find out here why Scaloni is not traveling to Chile for this game.
Lionel Scaloni won’t be in the dugout in Chile vs. Argentina WC Qualifier game
Even though they have a Qatar 2022 ticket under their belts, the game against Chile doesn’t come in great timing for Argentina. Besides Messi, La Albiceleste will suffer a number of casualties.
Lionel Scaloni won’t travel to Chile because he has tested positive for Covid-19, just like Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Besides, assistant Pablo Aimar and Emiliano Buendía – who was expected to start – will also stay in Argentina for being close contacts.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
