Lionel Scaloni has experienced one historic success after another as Argentina’s head coach. He has guided the national team to Copa América, Finalissima and FIFA World Cup glory. But away from the football field, the World Cup-winning coach is now facing a deeply personal loss.

Scaloni’s mother, Eulalia Marzetti, has died at the age of 74. She passed away on October 27 in Pujato, Santa Fe, Argentina, after battling health problems for several years. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed her death and expressed its condolences to Scaloni and his family.

Marzetti lived in Pujato with her husband, Ángel “Chiche” Scaloni. She was a well-known figure in the local community and had previously served as a municipal justice of the peace. The couple had three children—Lionel, Mauro and Corina. Argentine media reported that the family will hold a private farewell ceremony.

His Mother’s Health Was More Important Than Football

Scaloni’s concern over his mother’s health was not new. Marzetti had been dealing with health problems for around five years. In October 2021, during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign, Scaloni publicly spoke about the difficult situation surrounding his family.

At the time, he said, “I’m not in a position to think about the World Cup.” His words showed how deeply his mother’s condition was affecting him, even while he was leading Argentina toward the 2022 World Cup.

Months earlier, Scaloni had already dedicated one of the most important victories of his career to his mother.

On July 10, 2021, Argentina defeated Brazil 1–0 at the Maracanã to end a 28-year wait for a major international trophy. It was Scaloni’s first major title as Argentina’s head coach.

But amid the celebrations, his thoughts were with his mother.

“I want to dedicate this victory to my mother, who had a pretty serious health problem a few days ago and is fighting through it,” Scaloni said after the Copa América triumph.

Four Major Trophies That Made Scaloni a Legend

The difficult period did not stop Scaloni from building one of the most successful eras in Argentina’s football history.

After winning the 2021 Copa América, Argentina defeated Italy in the 2022 Finalissima. Later that year, Scaloni led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, defeating France in a dramatic final.

In 2024, Argentina successfully defended their continental crown by winning another Copa América title.

Under Scaloni, Argentina have therefore won four major international trophies: the 2021 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa América. Those achievements have firmly established his name in Argentina’s football history.

Yet even the greatest football achievements cannot fill every void in life.

The mother to whom Scaloni dedicated Argentina’s historic Copa América triumph at the Maracanã is no longer there to share his success.

For the World Cup-winning coach, this is a loss with no return leg.

Lionel Scaloni has lost his mother.