Scaloni and De la Fuente Share Emotional Moment Before Final

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni and Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente shared an emotional embrace during a fan engagement event in New York. This moment rekindled their relationship, which began nearly a decade ago when Scaloni, after retiring from professional football, enrolled in a UEFA Pro coaching license course at the Spanish Football Federation's La Rozas academy, where de la Fuente was an instructor.

Scaloni acknowledged their long-standing relationship, emphasizing their mutual understanding of football philosophy. Despite their friendship, both coaches are set to lead their teams in a fierce rivalry for the World Cup trophy.

Scaloni guided Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, while de la Fuente has led Spain to success in UEFA Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League. The final is expected to showcase their respect for each other as they compete for football's biggest prize.