Argentina’s devastated boss couldn’t finish his World Cup final press conference after an emotional outburst that left the room in stunned silence. 😢💥 Fighting back tears, Scaloni admitted the defeat “hurt his soul”—but his emotional remarks also fueled fresh debate as many fans interpreted them as a swipe at the officiating, with growing claims that Argentina had been treated unfairly on football’s biggest stage

LIONEL SCALONI broke down in tears after seeing Argentina lose the World Cup final.

Spain won the World Cup with a one-sided 1-0 win courtesy of Ferran Torres‘ long-overdue opener in extra time.

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Lionel Scaloni broke down in tears in his press conference after Argentina lost the World Cup final Credit: BBC

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Scaloni walked out of his press conference after becoming too emotional to continue Credit: BBC

Scaloni had led Argentina to glory in Qatar four years ago, but in what is likely to be Lionel Messi‘s final World Cup game they were unable to successfully defend that title.

The 48-year-old manager had broken up a brawl some Argentina players had gotten involved in after the full-time whistle as tempers boiled over.

However, speaking in the press conference after the final, a tearful Scaloni admitted the loss “hurt his soul”.

He said: “To be where I am today is a dream come true.

“We tried, right up to the very end to give it our all both the coaching staff and the players.

“I think it’s only right that I take this time to think about it all.

“It’s a beautiful position to be in.”

Scaloni was unable to hold back his tears any longer, and as they came streaming out he said: “It’s somewhere I’ve dreamed of being.

“So to carry on, lots of things are necessary.

“Above all we need time to reset and form another group like this one.

“It’ll be hard to recreate this one.

“It hurts my soul, I’m sorry.”

He then walked out of the media room to applause as he became too emotional to carry on.

Scaloni took charge of the Argentine national team in 2018 and led them to two Copa America titles and the World Cup.

Messi was also seen in tears on the pitch after losing the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

With the 39-year-old unlikely to see another World Cup before he hangs up his boots, Argentina will have to try to win their next trophy on the world stage without their greatest-ever player.

Leandro Paredes of Argentina grabbing Gavi of Spain during a FIFA World Cup final match.

Argentina players let their anger get the better of them in shameful scenes at the end Credit: Getty