Lionel Messi will be a man on a mission in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and Argentina will be there to support him.
The 35-year-old superstar is attempting to complete his illustrious career by capturing the sport’s most prestigious prize, which has eluded him in four previous efforts. He’s already stated that this will be his final World Cup.
Brazil and France are the two favourites cited by bookmakers and fans leading up to the tournament, but Argentina winning the World Cup is a very likely outcome in December given the run of results that manager Lionel Scaloni has marshalled: a 35-match unbeaten streak that is only three short of the world record.
Scaloni has subtly shaped this team since taking over in 2018, and his efforts culminated in the 2021 Copa America victory on Brazilian soil, giving Messi his first trophy with the senior national team and finally relieving him of the criticism that followed him on his trips for his country.
After shredding Euro champs Italy earlier this summer, Argentina’s popularity is only growing, especially with what appears to be an advantageous draw and path to the final in Qatar.
There were concerns about the fitness of Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, and Exequiel Palacios, but the trio made the squad, while Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso is out injured.
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United is included, despite speculation that the Premier League newbie would be overlooked in the face of stiff defensive competition.Neither Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa nor Napoli forward Giovanni Simeone, who has been on a scorching run in the last year, will be joining an attacking lineup led by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.
United fans have been clamouring for Alejandro Garnacho to be added. The teenager, who has previously made preliminary squads but has yet to win a senior cap, has recently been involved in the United first team and delivered a star cameo off the bench in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa – but he will have to wait.
Here is the Argentina Squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup:
Franco Armani(GK) | Emiliano Martinez (GK) | Geronimo Rulli (GK) | Juan Foyth (DEF) |
Lisandro Martinez (DEF) | Nahuel Molina (DEF) | Gonzalo Montiel (DEF) | Nicolas Otamendi (DEF) |
German Pezzella (DEF) | Cristian Romero (DEF) | Nicolas Tagliafico (DEF) | Marcos Acuna (MID) |
Rodrigo De Paul (MID) | Enzo Fernandez (MID) | Alejandro Gomez (MID) | Alexis Mac Allister (MID) |
Exequiel Palacios (MID) | Leandro Paredes (MID) | Guido Rodriguez (MID) | Julian Alvarez (FWD) |
Joaquin Correa (FWD) | Angel Di Maria (FWD) | Paulo Dybala (FWD) | Nico Gonzalez (FWD) |
Lautaro Martinez (FWD) | Lionel Messi (FWD) |
See More: Portugal’s Squad For 2022 FIFA World Cup
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