FIFA President Did Not Recognize Messi’s Coach – Coach Lionel Scaloni When He Wasn’t… Wearing Gloves to Touch the Golden Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had a serious incident with the captain of the 2022 World Cup champion, Coach Lionel Scaloni. However, the head of world football was also very quick to correct his own mistake.
That was the story of President Gianni Infantino not recognizing the head coach Lionel Scaloni of the 2022 World Cup champion when he asked this very young and small-looking man to wear gloves when lifting the World Cup golden trophy.
Mr. Gianni Infantino also did not recognize the World Cup champion – Coach Lionel Scaloni but later apologized and praised Messi’s teacher for getting younger and younger. Photo: S.S.
FIFA President invited the head coach of the reigning World Cup champion Lionel Scaloni, who is also Messi’s teacher, to the podium to lift the golden cup with him. Then, Mr. Gianni Infantino asked the person lifting the cup with him to wear gloves as a rule, because the Reception Committee required gloves when touching the prestigious cup.
In response to the unexpected request, coach Lionel Scaloni did not have any gloves available, so he had to return to his seat. Mr. Scaloni was very sympathetic when he said, “Maybe people don’t know who I am.”
A pair of gloves was given to coach Lionel Saloni. Photo: A.N
24 hours after the draw, the FIFA President officially spoke up with a clip: “On behalf of FIFA, I apologize, for not knowing that quick and short time. Of course, the World Cup champion must touch the golden cup. I apologize, I did not know.”
Along with giving the cause of the incident and apologizing, the head of FIFA also soothed: “It’s terrible. The gold cup should be worthy of being touched by the World Cup champion. But I see coach Lionel Scaloni getting younger every day, making me not recognize him for a moment.”
According to the 2026 World Cup schedule, the defending champion Argentina will face Austria in the first match on June 16 in Kansas, then Jordan in Dallas and the final group stage match against Algeria.