Compared to last time, Argentina will step onto the field this time under much more pressure. This is because last time, the team did not carry the title of defending champions. The team arrived with a lot of hope. Lionel Messi’s army became champions with that very squad. However, the pressure of expectations is immense this time. Lionel Scaloni’s team will enter the field as the defending champions, bearing the pressure of retaining the trophy.
Nevertheless, Argentina will take the field with the goal of becoming champions twice in a row. That is perhaps why Scaloni took a lot of time to announce the World Cup squad. Argentina announced their 26-member squad at the very last moment. This time, the team has a lot of balance. Several players who played last time are in the squad; they are now more mature and experienced. Along with them, there are multiple new names.
Midfield discipline is the main strength of the backup team. Scaloni knows well that the midfielders will have to play the primary role in scoring goals against opponents. That is why he has selected diverse options for the midfield. Alongside last time’s players Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, and Rodrigo De Paul, there are young players like Giovani Lo Celso and Valentín Carboni. He will be able to change plans according to the situation. Furthermore, Emiliano Martínez will be in goal. He was the hero in the penalty shootouts against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and France in the final last time.
On the flip side, Messi is the team’s main strength and Messi is also the weakness. There was uncertainty about whether the megastar would play in this tournament. But ultimately, he has been included in the squad. Having delivered a brilliant performance in the domestic season for Inter Miami, Messi will be Argentina’s main hope. Moreover, Messi is well-acquainted with the environment in America. However, his age is 39 this time. At this age, playing the full 90 minutes in every match will be highly challenging for Messi. If he cannot play the full time, there is a possibility that the team might face trouble.
