IInjuries never come at a good time, but Joaquín Panicelli’s setback deeply touched both Argentine football and coach Albiceleste.
Lionel Scaloni spoke to reporters ahead of the friendly against Zambia, but abruptly ended the press conference when asked about the 23-year-old forward, clearly unable to continue after the heartbreaking defeat.
Scaloni’s feelings when remembering Panicelli
Joaquín tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee during training on Thursday, March 26, in preparation for a friendly against Mauritania, to which he had been called up.
This is not the first time this has happened to him, as the RC Strasbourg forward previously suffered a similar injury to his left knee in 2023, which unfortunately kept him off the field for seven months. Following this latest setback, Joaquin lost the opportunity to participate in the upcoming World Cup.
This situation was a huge blow for Albiceleste, not only from a football point of view, as he wanted to rely on him not only in friendlies but also in the World Cup, but also on a human level.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni did not hide his emotions at the press conference following the victory over Mauritania, but when asked about the young forward ahead of the second friendly at La Bombonera stadium on March 31, he could not hold back tears and decided to end the press conference.
“It’s a very difficult situation… We talked to him. After the results came out, he went out of his way to come to the training facility. He could have stayed in a hotel in peace, but he said he wanted to come here and talk to us,” Scaloni said. “It was very emotional and everything he said was absolutely right. He didn’t deserve that,” he commented on his conversation with Joaquin.
“I’ll say it again: He didn’t deserve this. Nobody deserved this, but he especially did. He’s a hard worker. He earned it. That’s what I told him. He’ll have another chance. That’s right. He already has a chance. And to be honest, he’s a guy who is an inspiration to others. He’s been practicing really well…” he added just before ending the press conference.
Panichelli was the first substitute to come off the bench to complete Argentina’s attack, led by Flynn Lebarez and Lautaro Marnes as the main options. However, the injury for the former River Plate youth forward, who played for Deportivo Arabs and Milan in Spain, affected not only his career with the Argentina national team but also with RC Strasbourg Alsace.
Joacan was one of Ligue 1’s stars this season, scoring 16 goals in 27 games for his club, but the setback means he will miss out on the final stages of the French league and the chance to help his side qualify for European competition.
Argentina, on the other hand, will enter the 2026 World Cup as defending champions and will have to defend their title. In Group J, they will face Algeria on Tuesday, June 16th at Kansas City Stadium. They will then face Austria at Dallas Stadium on Monday, June 22nd, and Jordan on Saturday, June 27th.
