Lionel Scaloni leaves press conference in tears over Joaquin Panichelli injury | OneFootball

Lionel Scaloni cut short his Monday press conference, unable to hold back tears as he spoke about Joaquin Panichelli’s serious knee injury. According to L'Équipe, the Argentina head coach left the room visibly shaken.

The briefing came on the eve of a friendly against Zambia, yet emotion quickly took over. The moment underlined his attachment to the group.

Scaloni said Panichelli had earned his place and had been training very well, adding that he told the striker he would have another chance, before ending the session.

Panichelli sustained a rupture of the cruciate ligaments in his right knee overnight from Thursday to Friday while training with the Argentina squad. The setback has dashed his World Cup hopes.

His lay-off has not been made official, but the Strasbourg forward will miss the rest of the season with the Alsace club.

Source: L'Équipe