"It seems that Scaloni does not watch the Argentine league much." Angel Di Maria said it with a laugh — but according to journalist Flavio Azzaro, there's nothing funny about it.
Azzaro, never one to shy away from lighting a fire, claims there's a genuine rift between Di Maria and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. The issue? Di Maria has been in good form back home in Argentine football and believes he deserves a call-up. He hasn't gotten one. The quip wasn't banter — it was a message.
A squad dispute Scaloni doesn't need right now
Argentina are preparing for friendlies against Mauritania on March 27 and Zambia on March 31, stopgap fixtures after the Finalissima was canceled. They're also, more importantly, building toward a 2026 World Cup where Lionel Messi will almost certainly be playing his final tournament. The last thing Scaloni needs is a disgruntled Di Maria feeding a narrative about internal discord.
Azzaro was direct: "Di Maria is at odds with Scaloni. I don't think the other day's comments were a good-natured dig. He expected to be called up because of his good level in Argentine football."
That's a claim worth taking seriously — not because Azzaro is above stirring the pot, but because Di Maria's comments give it legs. Players don't make those kinds of public remarks about their national team coach without meaning something by them.
What it means for Argentina's World Cup picture
Scaloni has built Argentina into world champions and his authority isn't under threat. But Di Maria is not a nobody — he scored the goal that won the 2022 World Cup final. If he's genuinely available, in form, and motivated, leaving him out is a choice that invites exactly this kind of friction.
Whether Scaloni actually does ignore domestic Argentine football or whether this is Di Maria's frustration talking, the optics aren't great. Argentina's title defence odds rest heavily on squad unity behind Messi's final run. Cracks — even minor ones — are worth watching.
For now, Scaloni says he's focused and confident. Di Maria, apparently, disagrees with at least part of that assessment.
