In the Copa America final on July 15, Beijing time, Argentina successfully defended its Copa America title with Lautaro's killer goal in overtime. However, behind the joy of this victory, Argentina's head coach Scaloni revealed a hint of regret and reluctance. After the match, he talked about how he felt about not being able to bring Dybala into the final lineup, and his words were filled with mixed emotions.
Scaloni said fondly: "For me, Dybala is a very special person. With his great skills and unique style of play, he is an indispensable member of the team. However, for various reasons, we were not able to bring him to this final, which breaks my heart. There is a deep bond between our coaching staff and our players and we love everyone in a special way. When we had to make the decision not to bring certain players to the tournament, it was undoubtedly our worst moment. We know what a decision like this means to the players themselves and the hard work and sweat they put into the team."
Despite the regrets within, Scaloni also emphasized the importance of the team's unity: "Despite the fact that Dybala and a number of other players were unable to compete, our team remained strong and combative. Each and every one of us fought hard for a common goal and ultimately achieved the feat of defending the Copa America. This is a victory that belongs to our entire team and is the result of the joint efforts of each and every one of us."
Dybala also took to social media after the match to congratulate his team on their victory. He wrote: "It's wonderful to see this team lifting the trophy again. I'm so proud and honored of my teammates, they played incredibly well. Even though I couldn't be on the field with them in person, my heart is always with them. Congratulations to Argentina on successfully defending the Copa America!"
