World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is a battle of mentor against protege
New York Post · RC · trust 39/100
Add The New York Post on Google NEW YORK — The World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain has no shortage of storylines.
Lionel Messi looking to go out on top. Argentina seeking to go back-to-back for the first time since Brazil in 1962. Spain trying to record a record seventh clean sheet while reclaiming the title for the first time since 2010.
Yet perhaps the most fascinating duel Sunday will be the story of a master and his apprentice spending 90 minutes trying to outwit one another.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente and Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni share a bond that stretches back nearly a decade, long before either man was lifting major international trophies. In 2017, after Scaloni retired as a player, he enrolled in Spain’s coaching program at Las Rozas. One of the instructors helping shape the next generation of managers was de la Fuente.
The lessons taught inside those classrooms eventually helped shape one of international soccer’s brightest coaching minds. Now, they collide with the World Cup hanging in the balance.
Not since Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars” have we seen a battle between mentor and protégé this big.
After Spain shocked France 2-0 in the semifinal in Dallas, de la Fuente admitted that he hoped Argentina would join them in the Final.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente called Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni “a close friend.” Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images “I am very excited to face Argentina because I’m a very close friend of Lionel Scaloni,” de la Fuente said. “It will be a head-to-head match between two great teams.”
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After Argentina completed its comeback over England in their semifinal, Scaloni gushed about the influence his friend had on his career.
“He’s my mentor,” Scaloni said. “He taught me everything I know. Now we face each other in a final.”
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente is his “mentor.” FIFA via Getty Images The Argentine manager smiled while delivering the compliment, but quickly reminded everyone where friendship ends.
“On Sunday, I’m very, very sorry,” he said. “I’m going to try to beat him.”
The mutual respect runs far deeper than coaching licenses. Scaloni lives in Mallorca with his Spanish wife, Elisa Montero, and their children.
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He spent years playing in La Liga and has openly rooted for Spain whenever Argentina was not involved. De la Fuente, meanwhile, has repeatedly praised Scaloni’s leadership, calling him an example of how to build a team whose players willingly sacrifice for one another.
The mutual admiration and respect will be placed on hold for one unforgettable afternoon in New Jersey on Sunday.
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