Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has been compared to Virgil van Dijk following his superb sliding tackle in Maxi Rodriguez’s farewell game.Rodriguez has retired from professional football, and there were plenty of stars on show at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa on June 24. Argentina took on Newell’s Old Boys in an exhibition match, and Lionel Messi, Martin Demichelis, and Scaloni participated.
Messi scored a first-half hat trick on his 36th birthday for La Abcieleste as 42,000 fans watched Rodriguez bow out. The former Argentine midfielder earned 57 caps during his international career, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists.Rodriguez also played at club level for Newell’s Old Boys, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, and Espanyol. He made 614 appearances across competitions, scoring 146 goals and providing 52 assists during his club career.However, it was Scaloni who stole the headlines on the night with the Argentina manager showing he could still be a handy defender. The 45-year-old sped toward an attacker on the left flank before delivering an impressive slide tackle.Scaloni laughed as the ball went out of play and it was a moment that took some by surprise. Scaloni has earned comparisons to Premier League duo van Dijk and Harry.
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