Lionel Scaloni is an Argentine professional soccer manager and former player who has a net worth of $10 million.

Lionel Scaloni is best known for managing Argentina during one of the most successful periods in the national team's history. Initially appointed on an interim basis with virtually no senior managerial experience, Scaloni rebuilt Argentina around Lionel Messi and developed a close-knit team that combined veteran leadership with a new generation of talent.

Under Scaloni, Argentina won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa América. He later led the defending champions back to the World Cup final in 2026. His teams have included stars such as Emiliano Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Alexis Mac Allister.

Scaloni previously enjoyed a 20-year playing career that took him through Argentina, Spain, England and Italy. Although he was never considered a superstar player, his experience under a wide range of coaches helped shape the flexible, player-focused approach that later made him one of the most successful international managers of his generation.

Lionel Sebastián Scaloni was born on May 16, 1978, in Pujato, Santa Fe Province, Argentina.

He grew up playing soccer with his older brother, Mauro Scaloni, who also became a professional player. Lionel entered Newell's Old Boys' youth system and developed primarily as a right-sided defender or midfielder.

Scaloni was part of Argentina's team that won the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. That squad also included Juan Román Riquelme, Pablo Aimar and Walter Samuel, all of whom later became prominent figures in Argentine soccer.

Scaloni began his senior career with Newell's Old Boys before joining Estudiantes in 1996.

In 1998, he moved to Spain after signing with Deportivo La Coruña. Scaloni spent the majority of his playing career with Deportivo and appeared in more than 250 matches for the club.

He was part of the Deportivo team that won La Liga during the 1999-2000 season, the only Spanish league championship in club history. Deportivo also won the Copa del Rey in 2002 by defeating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on the club's centenary.

Scaloni joined West Ham United on loan during the second half of the 2005-06 season. He appeared in the FA Cup final against Liverpool, which West Ham lost in a penalty shootout.

He later played for Racing Santander, Lazio, Mallorca and Atalanta. His years in Italy exposed him to a tactical coaching culture that strongly influenced his future managerial style.

Scaloni made seven senior appearances for Argentina. He was selected for the 2006 World Cup and started the round-of-16 victory over Mexico.

Scaloni began studying for his coaching licenses while he was still playing in Italy. He completed part of his training in Rome before later enrolling in the Spanish federation's coaching program.

After retiring as a player, he joined Jorge Sampaoli's staff at Sevilla. When Sampaoli became Argentina's manager, Scaloni followed him to the national team and worked as an assistant during the 2018 World Cup.

Argentina's campaign ended with a chaotic 4-3 loss to France in the round of 16. Sampaoli left shortly afterward, leaving the federation searching for a replacement.

Scaloni and Pablo Aimar were initially placed in charge of Argentina's under-20 team. In August 2018, Scaloni was appointed interim manager of the senior national team.

The appointment was widely criticized. Scaloni had never managed a senior club or national team and was expected to hold the position only until Argentina hired a more established coach.

Scaloni used his interim period to introduce younger players and reduce Argentina's dependence on aging veterans. Lautaro Martínez, Rodrigo De Paul and several other future regulars received expanded roles.

Messi initially remained away from the national team following the 2018 World Cup but returned in 2019. Scaloni built a more balanced team around him, surrounding the captain with energetic midfielders, aggressive defenders and forwards willing to press without the ball.

Argentina finished third at the 2019 Copa América. Although the result was not a championship, it provided evidence that the team was improving.

The breakthrough came at the 2021 Copa América. Argentina defeated Brazil at the Maracanã in the final, ending the country's 28-year wait for a major senior trophy and giving Messi his first major championship with the national team.

Argentina then defeated Italy in the 2022 Finalissima before entering the World Cup as one of the favorites.

After losing its opening match to Saudi Arabia, Argentina recovered and advanced through the tournament. Martínez made crucial saves, Álvarez emerged as the starting striker and Mac Allister became a key midfielder. Argentina defeated France on penalties in the final to win its first World Cup since 1986.

Scaloni followed that triumph by leading Argentina to another Copa América championship in 2024. Argentina defeated Colombia in the final after an extra-time goal from Lautaro Martínez.

At the 2026 World Cup, Scaloni reached his 100th match as Argentina's manager and led the defending champions back to the final against Spain.

The matchup also carried a personal connection. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente had been one of Scaloni's instructors when he completed coaching courses in Spain.

Scaloni has resisted being associated with one rigid tactical system. Argentina has played with three, four or five defenders and has changed formations depending on the opponent and available players.

His greatest strength may be group management. Scaloni created an atmosphere in which Messi remained the central figure without requiring the entire tactical structure to depend on him.

He has also relied heavily on a trusted coaching staff that has included Aimar, Samuel and Roberto Ayala. Scaloni has regularly credited his assistants and players rather than presenting Argentina's success as the achievement of one manager.

Scaloni earns an estimated annual salary of $2.6 million as Argentina's manager. That figure ranked him 14th on CelebrityNetWorth's list of the highest-paid coaches at the 2026 World Cup.

Although $2.6 million is an enormous salary, it is significantly lower than the compensation earned by the tournament's highest-paid managers. Argentina has received extraordinary value from a coach whose salary is a fraction of the amounts paid to leading club managers.

Scaloni's complete career earnings are difficult to determine because reliable salary records are not available for much of his playing career. Based on his long stretches with Deportivo, Lazio and other European clubs, he likely earned between $15 million and $20 million in gross playing salary.

His coaching compensation since 2018 may have added another $12 million to $15 million before tournament bonuses. After taxes, representation fees and living expenses, a $10 million net worth is reasonable.

Scaloni is married to Elisa Montero, whom he met while playing in Spain. The couple has two sons.

He has maintained strong ties to both Argentina and Spain. Scaloni is frequently seen cycling in Mallorca, where his family has lived for years.

Despite becoming one of the most celebrated coaches in Argentine history, Scaloni has maintained a relatively understated public image. He frequently redirects praise toward his players and coaching staff and has described the unity of the group as the foundation of Argentina's success.