Lionel Scaloni traveled from Spain to be present at the AFA for César Luis Menotti’s last farewell. The ceremony is taking place this Tuesday at the Lionel Messi complex.

“A football master has left us. Thank you for those heartfelt conversations that left a lasting impression on us. Farewell, dear Flaco,” posted Scaloni on his Instagram account.

The current world champion coach learned a lot in terms of tactics and strategy from the 1978 world champion coach. In addition, Menotti has a hand in Argentina’s third star in Qatar. “El Flaco” supported Scaloni when his position was seriously in doubt.

Per a report by Olé, AFA’s President Claudio Tapia stated the following in 2023 about Menotti’s support of Argentina’s current coach:

“At that moment, one of the most important people told me that ‘El Gringo’ (Scaloni) had to be the coach of the National Team and that he had to have a contract until the World Cup. We couldn’t just give him matches or competitions because we really needed to start a project. So, it was César Luis Menotti who first told me, ‘he has to be the coach from here until the World Cup,’ until the World Cup ends, whatever the result may be.”

Back in 2020, when the National Team was still experiencing a drought of titles, “El Flaco” praised Scaloni’s coaching team of Pablo Aimar, Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala:

“He is well accompanied, surrounded by young coaches with experience in the National Team, who are in love with the game.”

Nahuel Molina suffered a tear and will be out for 20 days.

Molina is expected to miss most, if not the entire rest of the season for Atletico Madrid. According to Gastón Edul, the 26 year old will require 20 days to recover and could come back at the end of the European season or join the Argentina national team directly.

Emiliano Martínez is expected to play for Aston Villa vs. Olympiacos.

Martínez is set to return for Aston Villa on Thursday vs. Olympiacos in the UEFA Conference League. According to Gastón Edul, the Argentine will start on Thursday.

The 31 year old missed Aston Villa’s first leg against Olympiacos in the Conference League after being substituted out at half time against Chelsea in a league match. He underwent medicals tests and it was revealed that he did not have a muscle tear and would not miss much playing time.