There was nothing left to hide. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni broke down in tears as he faced reporters following his side’s devastating World Cup final defeat, admitting the pain before cutting the press conference short and walking away. The coach, who had inspired a nation throughout the tournament, struggled to put the heartbreak into words as the emotional weight of the loss became impossible to contain. His raw reaction has touched fans across the world, with many saying it perfectly captured what millions of Argentinians were feeling.

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.

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.

3