Lionel Scaloni may now be known as the mastermind behind Argentina’s World Cup victory, but things weren’t always this way.
Before turning his hand to management, the coach enjoyed a 20-year playing career which took him from South America to Europe, including a short stint at West Ham.
Scaloni led Argentina to their third World Cup title in 2022.Getty
After making 292 appearances for LaLiga side Deportivo over eight years, Scaloni found himself out of favour towards the end of his time in Spain, and joined the Hammers on loan in January 2006.
The Argentine full-back adapted to the Premier League quickly, immediately establishing himself as first-choice right-back under Alan Pardew.
Scaloni featured 17 times altogether for the Irons, and played the entirety of their extra-time FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool.
And it wasn’t just on the pitch where the former full-back was keen to make an immediate impression in England.
Bobby Zamora lined up alongside Scaloni during his time at Upton Park, and had a hilarious story about one of the now 46-year-old’s ill-fated attempts at settling in to life in London.
Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Zamora recalled how the West Ham players once tricked Scaloni into making the ultimate faux-pas on a team night out.
Zamora explained: “Lionel Scaloni, amazing guy, he couldn’t speak a word of English [when he moved here].
“We had a couple of nights out and used to meet in TGI Friday, Leicester Square.
“But Lionel, [despite] not speak English, has got a bit of energy about him. And he just wanted to have a chat with women.”
After asking his teammates for help communicating, the ex-Hammers striker then revealed the X-rated phrase that Scaloni was given to repeat to women.
Credit: X: @petercrouchpodZamora couldn’t help but laugh as he recalled Scaloni’s antics in England[/caption]
Scaloni featured in the 2006 FA Cup final for Liverpool
Scaloni is now tasked with coaching footballing great Lionel Messi as Argentina managerGetty
Laughing, Zamora went on: “[We told him to say] ‘My name is Lionel Scaloni and I’m a w*****!”
“So he would go up to everybody, I kid you not [and say]: ‘I’m Lionel Scaloni and I am a w*****’.”
While Zamora did not share the results of Scaloni’s unfortunate attempts at socialising, this will certainly be a far cry from anything he has experienced in his football life since then.
After returning to Spain with Racing Santander at the end of his loan spell in east London, Scaloni then spent the majority of the rest of his career in Italy, first with Lazio and later Atalanta.
He hung up his boots at the latter club in 2015, and then set about forging a career in coaching.
After a year as both assistant to then Argentina boss Jorge Sampoali, as well as taking charge of the country’s Under-20 side, Scaloni was then appointed as manager of the senior side in November 2018.
The decision to appoint him was widely criticised at the time, including by legendary player Diego Maradona.
The late hero said of Scaloni: “He’s a great lad but he can’t even direct traffic.”
But the former Hammers star’s heroics since then have proven all doubters wrong, as he proved himself to be more than capable of managing Lionel Messi and co.
He led Argentina to a first international trophy in 28 years with victory in the 2021 Copa America.
Scaloni then secured legend status as he delivered a third World Cup trophy to Argentina as they triumphed over France in a thrilling final at the 2022 World Cup.
With a second Copa America title following this in July, few could have expected such an incredible return as a manager, not least his former West Ham teammates.
