A number of players have worn both the Lazio and the West Ham United jerseys: Paolo Di Canio, Mauro Zarate, Valon Behrami, Ravel Morrison, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Felipe Anderson and Lionel Scaloni.
Scaloni was born in Pujato in Argentina on May 16, 1978. He started his football career with Newell’s Old Boys and debuted in the first team when he was just 16 years old. In 1995 he signed for Estudiantes and stayed a couple of seasons before moving to Europe and playing for Deportivo La Coruna. He stayed for nine years with Depo in probably their best period in their history. He won a Championship in 1999-00, a Copa del Rey in 2001-02 and the Supercopa de Espana twice, in 2000 and 2002. He played 371 games and scored 27 goals.
In January 2006 he signed for West Ham and appeared in 17 matches. Not a great contribution but he did play the FA Cup final against Liverpool in Cardiff. From his cross in the 21st minute came Jamie Carragher’s own goal which put the Hammers ahead. Dean Ashton made it two but Liverpool came back and equalised with goals from Djibril Cissé and Steven Gerrard. West Ham went ahead again with Paul Konchesky but a last second, incredible goal from Gerrad took the final to extra time. West Ham lost on penalties.
In the summer of 2006 he signed for Racing Santander and played the whole season before joining Lazio on a free transfer. After six months he was loaned to Real Maiorca and stayed for a season and a half before coming back to Lazio. He stayed with the Biancocelesti until January 2013, not playing very much, but giving a very helpful hand when necessary. He was past his prime but became very attached to the club and was a fan favourite. He played 67 games and scored one goal.
He then signed for Atalanta and in two and a half seasons played only 17 times. He quit active football at the end of the 2014-15 season.
Scaloni played 7 times for Argentina including the 2006 World Cup tie against Mexico.
After retirement he became a scout for Atalanta. In 2016 he joined Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla and became his assistant. He followed Sampaoli also when he became head coach for Argentina. After a couple of years Sampaoli was sacked and the job was temporarily given to Scaloni but he was confirmed and took the team to third place in Copa America 2019. In 2021, the Seleccion won the Copa America for the first time in 28 years beating Brazil in the final in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2022, despite losing the first game, Argentina won their third World Cup beating France on penalties. A marvellous achievement for Lionel.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | Europa League |
2007-Jan 2008 | 19 | 12 | - | 7 | - |
2009-10 | 6 | 5 | 1 | - | - |
2010-11 | 14 | 12 | 2 | - | - |
2011-12 | 21 (1) | 19 (1) | - | - | 2 |
2012-Jan 2013 | 7 | 4 | - | - | 3 |
Total | 67 (1) | 52 (1) | 3 | 7 | 5 |
Sources
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