17/06/2026 16:22 - Salud
Médico mostrando información sobre herpes zóster a paciente mayor en consultorio moderno
Lionel Scaloni is the head coach of Argentina's national football team. Under his leadership, Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar—the country's first World Cup title in 36 years. The victory sparked massive celebrations across Argentina and marked one of the most emotionally charged sporting achievements in recent history.
The passionate world of football hides a cost that few discuss. Lionel Scaloni, the coach who led Argentina to glory in Qatar 2022, recently confessed that after that triumph, his body gave out: he suffered a shingles outbreak in February 2023, as a consequence of extreme physical and emotional exhaustion.
"Sometimes you can't handle everything because your body says 'enough.' In fact, I developed shingles in February after the World Cup. When the body relaxed, it started showing aftereffects of that process."
Shingles (known as "culebrilla" in Spanish-speaking countries) is an infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox during childhood. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant (asleep) in the body, lodged in nerve tissues, waiting for an opportunity to "wake up."
The disease typically begins with itching, tingling, and skin sensitivity, followed by a localized rash that usually appears on the face, chest, or abdomen. The rash forms a band-like pattern on one side of the body.
The most common complication. A persistent neuropathic pain that can last months or even years after the rash disappears. It can disrupt sleep, mood, and mobility, potentially causing depression or social withdrawal.
When the virus affects the facial area, it can compromise eye structures. In severe cases, it can cause vision loss. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
A 2024 survey by pharmaceutical company GSK, conducted with 3,500 adults over 50 across 12 countries, revealed an alarming lack of awareness about this disease:
| Survey Finding | Result |
|---|---|
| Adults NOT aware of the risk and severity | 86% |
| Believe only 1 in 100 people are at risk | 26% |
| Think risk is only 1 in 1,000 | 17% |
| Consider developing the disease unlikely | 49% |
Dr. Elena Obieta, an infectious disease specialist, emphasized that "every encounter with a doctor is an opportunity to discuss how to prevent these types of diseases and strengthen the immune system."
Scaloni's case serves as a powerful reminder: the body has memory, and extreme stress—whether from the passion of football or daily life pressures—can have real and painful consequences. Prevention and immune system care are essential to prevent a dormant virus from becoming a serious problem.
Sources: Information based on reports from La Voz, La Nueva, and Cadena 3 (Argentina). Medical information verified against current infectious disease guidelines.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
