Lionel Scaloni, a name synonymous with Argentine football success, has carved out a distinguished career both as a professional player and a coach.
Born on May 16, 1978, in Pujato, Santa Fe, Argentina, Scaloni’s journey in football began with local club Newell’s Old Boys and spanned across continents, culminating in his current role as the head coach of the Argentina national team.
Under his guidance, Argentina has achieved remarkable success, including their first Copa América title in 28 years and a historic victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Here you can follow Lionel Scaloni’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
About Lionel Scaloni
Lionel Scaloni’s early life in the small town of Pujato laid the foundation for a career that would see him reach the pinnacle of international football.
His Italian origins from Ascoli Piceno, Marche, have also been a notable part of his identity. Scaloni’s professional debut came in 1995 with Newell’s Old Boys, marking the start of a journey that would take him across the world.
Playing Career
Lionel Sebastián Scaloni, born on May 16, 1978, in Pujato, Santa Fe, Argentina, is a former professional football player and current manager of the Argentina national team.
He started his playing career at Newell’s Old Boys in 1995. He spent most of his professional career in Spain, primarily at Deportivo de La Coruña, where he won the 1999–2000 Spanish league title and the 2001–02 Copa del Rey.
In total, he played 258 games and scored 15 goals over 12 seasons in La Liga with three different teams. He also played for several years in Italy, with Lazio and Atalanta.
His career stats show a total of 443 games played, with 20 goals scored. Scaloni also had a stint in the English Premier League, playing for West Ham United on loan in 2006. He retired from professional football in 2015 while at Atalanta.
Internationally, Scaloni represented Argentina, earning 7 caps for the senior team between 2003 and 2006. He also played for the Argentina U20 team in 1997.
Coaching Career
Lionel Scaloni’s coaching career began as an assistant manager under Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla FC for the 2016-2017 season. He then followed Sampaoli to the Argentina national team, serving as an assistant manager from 2017 to 2018.
After Sampaoli’s departure, Scaloni took over as the interim head coach of Argentina in 2018 and was later appointed as the permanent manager.
He guided the team to victory in the 2021 Copa América, which was Argentina’s first major trophy in 28 years. Scaloni’s tactical acumen and balanced approach played a significant role in this success.
His tenure also saw Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, marking the country’s third World Cup title and cementing Scaloni’s status as a national hero.
Lionel Scaloni’s Net Worth Details
Lionel Scaloni’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his salary as a professional footballer, endorsements, and other sources.
Contract and Salary
Lionel Scaloni, the head coach of the Argentina national team, has extended his contract until 2026 following the team’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Career Earnings
| Year | Estimated Annual Salary (USD) |
| 2022 | $2,700,000 |
Endorsements
Lionel Scaloni, as of the available information, has not signed any well-known endorsement deals.
However, his successful tenure as the head coach of the Argentina national team, including winning the Copa América and the World Cup, has significantly raised his profile.
Personal Details
| Full Name | Lionel Sebastián Scaloni |
| Nickname | – |
| Birth Date | May 16, 1978 |
| Height | 1.82 m |
| Birthplace | Pujato, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Current Net Worth | $5 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Elisa Montero |
| Instagram Profile | @lioscaloni |
Wife
Lionel Scaloni is married to Elisa Montero. The couple has been together since 2008 and got married in 2018.
They have 2 sons, Ian and Noah. Elisa Montero has been Scaloni’s constant support in his personal and professional life.
Career Stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Managed | Won | Drawn | Lost |
| 2024 | Argentina National Team | WC Qualification South Am | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Argentina National Team | International Friendlies | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Argentina National Team | World Cup | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | Argentina National Team | CONMEBOL UEFA Cup of Cham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Argentina National Team | International Friendlies | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Argentina National Team | Copa America | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | Argentina National Team | Copa America | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019 | Argentina National Team | International Friendlies | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
FAQs
1. Who is Lionel Scaloni?
Lionel Scaloni is an Argentine football manager and former professional player, currently managing the Argentina national team. Born on May 16, 1978, in Pujato, Santa Fe, he played as a versatile right-back and midfielder. Scaloni led Argentina to major victories, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and multiple Copa América titles.
2. What are Lionel Scaloni’s major achievements as a coach?
As Argentina’s coach, Scaloni won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2021 Copa América (ending a 28-year drought), and the 2024 Copa América. He also secured the 2022 Finalissima by defeating Italy. These achievements solidified his reputation as one of the best national team coaches globally.
3. What was Lionel Scaloni’s playing career like?
Scaloni played for clubs like Deportivo La Coruña, Lazio, and Atalanta, among others. He won the Spanish league title (1999–2000) and Copa del Rey (2001–02) with Deportivo. Internationally, he earned seven caps for Argentina and was part of their 2006 World Cup squad.
4. How did Lionel Scaloni start his coaching career?
Scaloni began as an assistant coach at Sevilla in 2016 under Jorge Sampaoli. He later served as an assistant for Argentina’s national team before being appointed head coach of the U20 team in 2018. That same year, he became head coach of the senior national team.
5. What is Lionel Scaloni’s coaching style?
Scaloni is known for tactical flexibility and fostering team unity. He uses formations like 4-3-3 to maximize attacking potential while maintaining defensive solidity. His ability to adapt strategies during matches has been widely praised.
6. Who is Lionel Scaloni’s wife, and does he have children?
Lionel Scaloni is married to Elisa Montero, a Spanish native who inspired him to pursue coaching after retiring as a player. The couple has two sons, Ian (born in 2012) and Noah (born in 2016).
7. What awards has Lionel Scaloni received as a coach?
Scaloni was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach in 2022 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory. He also received recognition from the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) as the world’s best national coach that year.
8. What challenges did Lionel Scaloni face early in his coaching career?
Scaloni’s appointment as Argentina’s head coach in 2018 faced criticism due to his lack of experience managing senior teams. However, he proved his doubters wrong by achieving unprecedented success with the national team.
9. What is Lionel Scaloni’s net worth and salary?
Lionel Scaloni’s net worth is approximately USD 1 million, with most of it coming from his salary as Argentina’s head coach, which is estimated at USD 800,000 annually.
10. Why is Lionel Scaloni considered one of Argentina’s greatest coaches?
Scaloni led Argentina to their first World Cup win since 1986 and multiple continental titles within a short span. His leadership revitalized Argentine football, earning him legendary status among fans and players alike.
