Pupil vs Master: Scaloni Faces His Old Teacher De La Fuente At FIFA World Cup Final

Published 16 July 2026 · sports

Pupil vs Master: Scaloni Faces His Old Teacher De La Fuente At FIFA World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 18:36 IST

Pupil vs Master: Scaloni Faces His Old Teacher De La Fuente At FIFA World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 18:36 IST Lionel Scaloni once learned from Luis de la Fuente in a coaching classroom. Now, teacher and student meet in the World Cup final with football's biggest prize on the line. Rapid Read (Credit: AP) The FIFA World Cup final already has everything football fans could ask for. Defending champions Argentina against European champions Spain. Lionel Messi against Lamine Yamal. Two of the world’s most in-form teams battling for the biggest prize in football. But hidden beneath the blockbuster storyline is a remarkable subplot few fans know about. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni once sat in a classroom learning from Spain boss Luis de la Fuente. From Classroom To The Biggest Stage Long before they became World Cup finalists, Scaloni and De la Fuente crossed paths at the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) coaching academy in Las Rozas. It was 2017. Scaloni had recently retired from professional football and was completing his coaching badges.

One of the instructors guiding the next generation of coaches was De la Fuente, then in charge of Spain’s youth national teams. Neither could have imagined that less than a decade later they would be standing in opposite technical areas with the World Cup trophy on the line. The respect between the pair has only grown over the years. “He’s a great guy," Scaloni said of his former tutor before the 2024 Copa America. “It’s a pleasure to see how he speaks, how he carries himself, and how the players give everything for him." De la Fuente has been equally complimentary, describing his former student as “a true master" while praising Scaloni’s tactical intelligence and ability to get the very best out of his squad. Scaloni’s Spanish Connection Scaloni’s links with Spain extend well beyond the coaching course. The 48-year-old spent much of his playing career in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruña, Racing Santander and Mallorca. His wife, Elisa Montero, is Spanish, their children were born in Spain, and the family still lives in Mallorca.

During Euro 2024, Scaloni even admitted he was supporting Spain because of his personal ties to the country. “I’m happy for him," Scaloni said after Spain reached the World Cup final. “He deserves it. He’s a great bloke. Everything we see in his national team is what we hope to see in ours." The Argentine manager even joked about their friendship. “If things don’t go well for us, I’ll give him a call. If we play against him in the final… no. Let’s hope there’s no call until after the final." Now, that moment has arrived. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What makes this World Cup final unique? The FIFA World Cup final is unique as it features a "master and pupil" clash between Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who previously learned from each other at the Spanish Football Federation's coaching academy. How did Scaloni and De la Fuente's paths cross?