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Argentina wants to get rid of the scandal of winning the controversial ‘World Cup’!

Kriralok Desk: In world football, Argentina always remains the same. The two-time World Cup champions have millions of fans outside their own country. Especially after Maradona’s second World Cup win in 1986, the number of Argentina fans began to increase. Which has reached the sky in the current Messi era. Although it has been three years, Argentina could not reach the dream World Cup. But in every season, the fans dream of winning the highest football title.

Argentina’s Football History:

Argentina’s football history is very old. The arrival of modern football in Argentina by the hands of British bankers from the middle of the 18th century. The founding of the Football League Association in Argentina through the Scottish Alexander Watson Hutton, which later became the Football Federation of Argentina. He is known to everyone as The Father of Argentine football. He established the ‘Alumni Athletic Club’ in Argentina in 1893. From this team, many later got a chance in the national team of Argentina. Watson Hutton’s son Arnold Hutton himself is playing for Argentina. Apart from this team, Juan Brown was the captain of Argentina.

However, Buenos Aires Football Club was recognized as the first club in Argentina. Which was founded by two British citizens Thomas and James Hogg. However, in 1891, the first Argentine Football Association League was held. A first in Latin America. This league is the credit of Watson. He is the one who started competitive football in Argentina.

Argentina’s first national football team was formed in 1901. And the country’s national team played its first match in 1902 against Uruguay. Argentina beat Uruguay 6-0 in that match. This match at Albino Stadium in Uruguay was the first international football match in Latin America. Charles Dickinson scored in 3 minutes of the game. He is remembered in history as the first international goal scorer in Latin America.

Argentina’s international success:

Apart from the two trophies of football’s highest event, the World Cup, Argentina’s wealth of success is huge. Argentina has won the title of 15 times in the best Latin competition ‘Copa America’. Runners up 14 times. They also have the record of winning the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992. There are two ‘finalisima’ of one match between the best of Latin and Europe. In addition, he won the Pan-American Championship in 1960.

All in all, Argentina has the record of winning the most trophies in international football.

Argentina also won two consecutive gold medals in age-specific Olympic football in 2004 and 2008. Has seven gold medals in the Pan American Games.

The current captain Lionel Messi has played the most 164 matches for Argentina. The number of goals is the highest, 90. Besides, Javier Mascherano has played the second highest 147 matches. Gabriel Battista scored the second highest goal of 56 goals. However, he played only 78 matches for the country. His goals per match ratio is 0.72. Messi’s 0.55 there.

Diego Maradona scored his first international goal against Scotland in 1979 at the age of 18 years, 7 months and 4 days. He is Argentina’s youngest international goal scorer so far. And Martin Palermo was the oldest player to score for Argentina at 36 years and 7 months. He scored the goal against Greece in 2010. In addition, in 1999, Palermo set a world record by missing three penalties in a match against Colombia in the Copa America!

Argentina’s World Cup History:

So far four World Cups have been held except for Argentina. In 1938, 1950 and 1954, Argentina withdrew their name for various reasons. On the other hand, Albaceleste could not qualify for the tournament held in Mexico in 1970. However, since 1974, Albiceleste has been regularly participating in the World Cup.

Argentina has won the title twice, in 1978 and 1986, in 17 World Cup participations so far. Lost in the final in 1930, 1990 and 2014. Argentina lost to Uruguay in the first World Cup final. Germany beat them in the remaining two finals.

Argentina has played a total of 81 matches in World Cup football. 47 wins, 10 draws and 24 losses. Argentina scored a total of 137 goals and conceded 93 in the World Cup.

Gabriel Batistuta has scored the most 10 goals for Argentina in the World Cup. But Batistuta has a record that he is yet to touch. He is the only footballer to have scored a hat-trick in two World Cups. The first was against Greece in 1994 and the second against Jamaica in 1998.

Diego Maradona and Guillermo Stabile have the second highest eight goals after Batistuta.

Among the current players, Lionel Messi has six World Cup goals. If he scores five goals in the 2022 season, he can become the owner of the most goals for the country in the World Cup. In addition, Messi will set the record for most World Cup appearances for Argentina in Qatar. Apart from Maradona and Javier Mascherano, Messi has already played four World Cups. He holds the record for the most five World Cup appearances for Argentina single-handedly when he took the field in Qatar.

In addition, Messi has the opportunity to set the record for playing the most matches in the World Cup in Argentina’s jersey. Maradona played 21 matches in the World Cup. 20 mascheranos. And Messi’s number of World Cup matches is 19. In other words, Messi will surpass the others if he plays three matches in the group stage in Qatar.

Argentina’s first World Cup win was a disgrace:

In 1978, Argentina hosted the World Cup on its own soil. And won the first World Cup in their history. However, Argentina’s World Cup victory is hotly debated. At that time Argentina was under military rule. Because of this, FIFA has not had to endure less criticism for putting the burden of organizing the World Cup on the shoulders of Argentina. The absence of human rights and the rule of law made Argentina’s World Cup one of the most ‘infamous’ in history.

The World Cup was divided into four groups with the participation of 16 teams. Two teams from each group advance to the next round. Where two more groups are made. And the best teams of the two groups play in the final.

It is alleged that Argentina took many illegal benefits with the direct support of the military junta, which started from the group stage. The hosts took a controversial decision to schedule each of their matches in the group stage at night. The hosts passed the first stage with the advantage of this. Because, before entering the field in the last match of the group stage, Argentina knew where they stood in the group.

Due to this controversy, FIFA changed this rule from the next (1982) World Cup. As a rule, the last two matches of the group stage will be held at the same time. So that who stands where is not pre-determined and so that there is no case of foul play.

However, Argentina created the most controversy in the last match of the second round against Peru. After the first three matches of the second round, Brazil was the most advanced for the final. Here Brazil beat Peru 3-0 and Poland 3-1. Against Argentina with a goalless draw. On the other hand, Argentina drew against Brazil after beating Poland 2-0 in the first match.

In the third round, Brazil and Argentina’s respective matches were to be held at the same time. But that match started after Brazil played Poland. In other words, before entering the field, Argentina made sure that if it reached the final, it would have to win against Peru by at least four goals! And that’s what happened, not four goals but the host Argentina defeated Peru by 6-0 goals and reached the final.

Allegedly, Argentina’s military government gave Peru a huge amount of money and food grains to give up the match. In fact, at that time, Argentina’s military ruler Jorge Rafael Videla, tarnished and condemned by the killing, disappearance and arrest of the opposition, was desperate to shine his image to the world through the World Cup. For that reason, the military government did not hesitate to adopt any policy to reach the final. At the time, Peru’s banks were managed by Argentina’s central bank and, allegedly, the bank accounts of Peruvian footballers were bloated overnight. Again, Peru’s left-wing leaders claimed that the Argentine government handed over 13 rebels who were imprisoned in Argentina due to the defeat in this match in the World Cup.

In 2012, Genaro Ledesma, a former member of the Peruvian parliament, opened his mouth on this issue. He complained to the court in Buenos Aires that the governments of the two countries had reached an agreement on the result before the match. Ledesma, who was in the opposition at the time, said that Argentina’s dictator Jorge Videla exchanged royal prisoners on the condition that Peru lose enough goals to reach the finals of his country in the World Cup!

At that time, military rule was going on in both the countries. Even if the common people did not want it, there was great tension among the military rulers for their own interests. And by using that through various additions, Argentina reached the final by defeating Peru as planned.

Argentina’s opponent in the final was Holland. Holland’s Johan Cruyff was the best star in world football at that time. But before the World Cup, an attempt was made to kidnap him in Barcelona. Although the attempt was not successful. But the 31-year-old Cruyff did not go to Argentina to play the World Cup in fear of his life. Because it is believed that the military government of Argentina is responsible for this kidnapping attempt. And they did that to keep Cruyff away from the World Cup! Later, Cruyff himself admitted to the media that he was not going to play the World Cup in Argentina for fear of his life.

Argentina beat Holland 3-1 in the final. The Dutch have to play against the hostile behavior of the host visitors throughout the match. Runners-up Netherlands did not participate in the post match after losing in the final at Riverplate’s home venue Estadio Monumental away from the city of Buenos Aires.

However, despite all the controversies, Mario Kempeswas the hero of Argentina’s first World Cup win. He scored six goals and won the best goalscorer and best player awards. He also scored a pair of goals in the final.

However, except for Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the World Cup victory in 1986, there was no such controversy. Although, if not for that goal, what would have been the result of the quarter final match, it is difficult to say. England still could not forget their anger about that match.

Argentina’s best star:

Argentina has given birth to many big stars in world football. Even in the list of the best of all time, several Argentine players will take place. Diego Maradona will be at the top of all of them. It is doubtful whether Argentines will ever get a dedicated footballer like Maradona in the national team jersey. The 1986 World Cup is the best ever in terms of star lineup. Brazil’s Zico-Socrates, Germany’s Karl Heinz Rummenigge-Lothar Matthews, France’s Michel Platini, Italy’s Paolo Rossi, Belgium’s Enzo Scifo, Uruguay’s Enzo Francescoli, England’s Gary Lineker-Paul Gascoigne-Peter Shilton-John Burns, Russia’s Ole Blockin, Poland’s All the players will be in their country’s all-time greatest list. On the other hand, there was no star in the Argentina team except Maradona. But that Maradona played with Valdano, Burruchaga and Passarella in a single skill. Although the controversy over the goal scored by Maradona in the quarter-final is still not over, Maradona scored the best goal in the history of the World Cup in that match in England. In the tournament held in Mexico, Maradona scored the second highest five goals and won the ‘Golden Ball’ for the best player. Maradona’s wandering in the field in each and every of the seven matches of the World Cup was very impassioned.

In 1990, Maradona took the team to the final. In that World Cup, many teams spent ninety minutes in a tiebreaker. There was a tendency to foul. The World Cup held in Italy saw a record 16 red cards in the group stage and the lowest proportion of goals in the World Cup so far. And in this case, Argentina was at the forefront. In the final, Argentina scored only five goals in the entire tournament, which is the lowest of any team in the World Cup final so far. Not only that, Argentina repeatedly made annoying backpasses towards the goalkeeper. In fact, defensive tactics were Argentina’s tool in the 1990 World Cup. But even after such an exhibition, only Maradona’s strong leadership and intelligent play took Argentina to the final. There was luck.

In the knock out phase, Argentina, who was under great pressure all the time, won by a single goal against Brazil. That is also Maradona’s defensive pass to Canizia’s goal. But in that match, even if Brazil scored a ‘hali’ goal, it was not surprising. In that World Cup, Maradona suffered a lot of fouls, and acted more than that. Fouled again and again, wasted playing time. Later, they reached the finals with a tiebreaker victory in the quarters and semis due to the extraordinary heroics of the goalkeeper Goycochea. Actually this was the main plan of Argentina in 1990. Argentina played in the same style in the final. However, in the end, Germany won their third World Cup thanks to Andre Brehmer’s controversial penalty goal. And Argentina has to be satisfied with being the runner-up.

In the 1994 World Cup, Maradona tested positive for drugs and was banned from the tournament. But before that he made it to the top two of the best footballers of all time. Even Brazil’s black diamond Pele and Maradona – the debate over who is the greatest of all time – has not stopped yet.

After Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano was considered as the best player in Argentina. Born in Argentina, this footballer also played for Spain. Although he was never seen on the World Cup stage. Stefano played as a center forward. His success in the Spanish club Real Madrid is unforgettable. In 1943, his playing career began at the Riverplate club in Argentina. For the next decade, he played in various clubs in Argentina and Colombia. After arriving at Real Madrid in 1953, he formed an impeccable forward line with Ferenc Puskas. He scored 308 goals in all competitions for Real until 1964, making him the league’s top scorer in the club’s history. Although later Raul Gonzalez and Karim Benzema broke that record. And with 450 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo, the king of modern football, has become the best scorer of Real.

When asked who is the best footballer of all time, most people are divided between Pele and Maradona. But surprisingly, Di Stefano was ranked after Pele in the FIFA judges’ list of the best players of the last century. Di Stefano would probably have been the greatest footballer of all time if only club football was considered. He won eight leagues and five European Cups (currently Champions League) for Real. Stefano has a lot of credit for turning Real into the greatest club.

Like Stefano, Lionel Messi will be in the top three Argentines who have ruled the world (so far) for Barcelona. However, he played four World Cups for the country, reached the final once, won a Copa America. He also holds the record for the highest international goal for the country. So Messi will be placed in the best list after Maradona.

In addition, Mario Kempes, Passarella, Batistuta, Javier Zanetti, Javier Mascherano claim a place in the list of the best players of all time in Argentina.

Road to Qatar:

Four teams from Latin America got direct tickets to the World Cup in Qatar. After the qualifying round of 10 countries, Argentina is entering Qatar from the second place after Brazil. Argentina got 39 points in 17 World Cup qualifiers. And Brazil got the top spot in Latin with 45 points. A match between the two teams has been abandoned. Which should be reorganized within a few days.

Argentina won 11 of 17 matches and drew 6. In other words, no match has been lost so far. In these matches, Argentina put the ball in the opponent’s net 27 times. And the ball touched their own net eight times.

Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez have scored the maximum seven goals for Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers in the Latin region. Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Gonzalez got three goals each.

Doubt in the knock out phase:

Argentina will play in ‘C’ group in Qatar World Cup. Where their partners are Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia. A relatively simple group. Poland is a team solely dependent on Robert Lewandowski. Although Mexico has always been the same team in World Cups, they have lost each of their three World Cup matches against Argentina. On the other hand, few people expect Saudi Arabia to kill Argentina. So, Argentina will go to the knock out stage as the best of their group – this has to be assumed. However, if Argentina suffers an accident in their own group or if France is the runner-up in ‘D’ group, the two teams will meet in the knock-out phase. In that case, anyone from Argentina or France can be eliminated before the quarter finals. However, if Argentina and France are equally first or second in their respective groups, that problem does not exist. In that case, Messi will play with Denmark, Tunisia or Peru/Emirates who will be knocked out from ‘D’ group.

Despite the match against Denmark, Messi’s team will have to face a tough challenge. Because at the moment, Denmark is a very organized team. France, the current World Cup champion, lost to them in the Nations Cup with the entire squad. Argentina also have one win in three encounters. In 1995, Denmark beat Argentina 2-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup. In ‘La Finalissima’ in 1993, the match between the two teams was tied 1-1. In the end, Argentina won the title under the leadership of Diego Maradona in a tiebreaker. And in 1966, Argentina beat the Danes by 0-2. The two teams have never met in the World Cup. It can be said that Argentina’s match against Denmark, which is in the top ten of the FIFA ranking, will not be easy. But to win the World Cup, no match is easy for anyone. And so Denmark or France, whoever the opponent is in the knock out stage, Argentina has to win.

Argentina’s title of famine is over:

Argentina was waiting for an international title for 28 years. After the Copa America in 1993, they did not get any title. Argentina has reached the finals of Copa America four times, a World Cup and two Confederations Cups, but in the end, Argentina had to leave the field in tears. However, in July 2021, that trial ended. Argentina won the Copa America by defeating the hosts 1-0 in the final of the tournament held in Brazil. The 28-year title famine has come to an end. Which is the first title for players of this generation including Lionel Messi. A title like this before the World Cup will surely give extra motivation to the Argentina team in Qatar. Messi scored four goals and five assists for Argentina in the tournament. Chosen as the best player jointly with Brazil’s Neymar. However, Messi was the best scorer of the season.

Besides this year Argentina won ‘La Finalissima’. This match was held with Italy and Argentina, the two best teams in Europe and Latin. Where Argentina defeated the European champion Italy 3-0.

Cool Scholani guiding Argentina in a right way:

Jorge Sampaoli lost his job after the 2018 World Cup. The name of Lionel Scolani was announced as the new coach of Argentina. Although there was doubt, how much he can save a team that is constantly failing! But four years after taking charge, it appears that he has turned Argentina into one of the most interesting teams in the world. After the World Cup in Russia, this coach has been very successful in one-on-one tests with relatively new players. Under him, Argentina won the Copa America and La Finalissima. Argentina is one of the title contenders in the World Cup.

Scolani has seen 33 wins in 49 matches so far as the coach of the national team. 12 draws and 4 losses. Most importantly, under him, Argentina has set a record of being unbeaten in the last 35 matches.

Lionel Scolani’s greatest quality is that he can change the formation of the team according to the style of the game. Sometimes 4-3-3 and sometimes 4-3-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation encourages the team. His preferred XI for the World Cup could be –

Emiliano Martinez (goalkeeper), Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Guido Rodriguez/Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Giovanni Le Solso, Lautaro Martinez

Messi is the big star of Argentina:

Lionel Messi is definitely the biggest star of the Argentina team in Qatar World Cup. However, the 2021-22 season did not go well for him after leaving his lifelong club Barcelona and joining France’s PSG. In total, he scored only 11 goals in 34 matches, of which he scored six goals in League One. 14 assists. Messi has never scored so few goals since the 2005-06 season. However, before the World Cup, the ‘Little Magician’ is in great shape in the 2022-23 season. He scored 11 goals in 16 games in total for PSG.

Besides, his form in recent times for the country is different from other times. He has played a major role in the team’s joint maximum of seven goals in the World Cup qualifiers and five goals in the last Copa victory. Became the best player and best goal scorer of the season. In 2022, he scored 10 goals in only 6 matches. He scored 90 goals in 164 matches for the country. And he is number five in the all-time international goalscorer list. Messi won the Golden Ball in the 2014 World Cup, setting a record in winning the Ballon d’Or and the European Golden Shoe. Argentina’s 14-time player of the year Messi is going to Qatar with the dream of winning the World Cup. Although he won 35 titles for the club, he won only the Copa America and the one-match La Finalissima for the country. There is no doubt that fans will be looking at Messi who has scored more than seven hundred goals in club football. Not being able to prove himself in big matches for the country, Messi is probably going to play the last World Cup in Qatar. It will be known in November-December that how much he can shake the slander next to his name.

Trustworthy Di Maria:

Angel Di Maria can be called the ‘unsung hero’ of the Argentina team. Who has proved himself repeatedly as the best star of Argentina especially in big matches. In the 2014 World Cup, Argentina knocked out Switzerland with Di Maria’s only goal. In the next match against Belgium in the quarter finals, he assisted Gonzalo Higuain’s goal. However, Di Maria could not play in the semi-final and final. Many people think that if this star footballer was in the final, Messi would have won the World Cup title. In the knock out phase of the 2018 World Cup, Di Maria equalized with a great goal against France. Again in 2021, Argentina’s 28-year title nightmare ended with his only goal against Brazil in the Copa America final. He also scored a great goal in the last La Finalissima match.

As seen, Di Maria is always Argentina’s best weapon in the important matches of the knock out stage. So far, the 34-year-old winger has played 123 matches and scored 25 goals for the country. He is going to play the fourth and last World Cup of his career in Qatar. With experience in big teams like Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG, Di Maria is one of the biggest stars of the Argentina team. He has the most (32) assists in the UEFA Champions League after Messi and Ronaldo. Argentina will want the best from Di Maria to succeed in Qatar.

Goalkeeper problems solved:

Argentina’s current squad has talented footballers in almost every position. For a long time, the Argentine team has suffered from goalkeeper problems. But currently Emiliano Martinez is playing with confidence. The 29-year-old Aston Villa keeper was the hero of Argentina’s Copa America win in 2021. He became an overnight star after stopping three shots in the tiebreaker against Colombia in the semis of the series. In addition, Artyaro Vidal’s penalty against Chile prevented them in the group stage, although Vargas scored a return shot there. Brazil could not defeat him in the final. He won the ‘Golden-Gloves’ for the best goalkeeper of the season. Martinez, who has become a star, has managed to keep a clean sheet in the last 11 matches in the Premier League. However, 49 goals have been digested in 37 matches!
It is more likely to see Martinez as the number one goalkeeper in the World Cup. Experienced Franco Armani and Guarnimo Rulli will be the coach’s choice as back-up.

Dependence on defence:

In defense, Otamendi has two World Cups and four Copa experience. This 34-year-old center back has played 92 matches for the country, scoring four goals. In club football, he played for Porto, Valencia, Atletico Madrid (loan) and Man City in the last season at Benfica.

Recently, Nahuel Molina has been shining for Argentina in defense. He won the Copa America for the country in 2021. Played 19 international matches. His inclusion in the World Cup in Qatar is very ripe. He is currently in Italian club Udinese.

Nicolas Tagliafico is becoming more important for the Argentina team day by day. This 29-year-old left back has been playing for the country since 2017. Won the 2021 Copa America. His number of international matches in Argentina jersey is 42. This footballer who came to Europe from the 2017-18 season is in the Dutch club Ajax.

Germán Pezzella was in the initial squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Although in the end coach Sampaoli did not keep him in the final squad of 23 people. However, he is very regular in Skolani’s squad. He even led the country in a friendly match against Morocco in March 2019. He played 31 matches for the country, scoring two goals. The 30-year-old centre-back is one of the weapons of Chilean veteran coach Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis. The team won the Spanish Copa del Rey. He also won the Copa America. He went down as a substitute in the final. He has two goals in 31 matches for Argentina national team.

Cristian Romero is a center back position player. He was in the first eleven against Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final. Scored one goal in 12 matches for the country. After debuting for Argentina in 2021, he is a regular in the team. This 24-year-old star played last season as a loan player in England’s big club Tottenham. In the whole season, he played 30 matches for the club and repaid his trust.

Marcos Acuña is the main trust of Scolani in the left back position. 42 matches have already been played for the country. Although he was in the preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup, he was not in the final team. However, if there is no incident, he will definitely be seen in the World Cup in Qatar. Since 2020-21 season, he has been playing in one of Spain’s clubs, Sevilla. He played in 40 matches in the last season.

Gonzalo Montiel in the right back position is playing 17 matches in the national team jersey after his debut in 2019. He was on the field the whole time in the Copa America final against Brazil. He appeared in 28 games last season for Sevier. A regular member of the Spanish club in this season as well.

Trust and diversity in the midfield

The best of the best in world football have always played in Argentina’s midfield. Diego Maradona’s calculation is different, besides, Juan Sebastian Veron, Diego Simeone, Javier Mascherano, Daniel Bertoni, Rene Houseman, Rodondo, Javier Zanetti, Riquelme, Sergio Batista are playing in Argentina’s midfield.

Who were among the best stars of their respective times at all times. Currently, there are players like Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo de Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Guido Rodriguez and Alexis McAllister in the midfield of Argentina. Many of them are young and talented. Let’s take the case of Le Celso. He has shown an eye-catching performance for Villarreal in the last Champions League. He brought the team to the semi-finals of the best European club tournament. He played 41 matches for Argentina and scored two goals. He was in the final squad of the last World Cup. Played two cups. won one.

De Paul is one of the most attacking midfielders of the present time. He has the qualities of a ‘box to box’ midfield general. Can deliver the long final pass that destroys the opponent. Led Atletico Madrid’s midfield last season. He played 48 matches and scored four goals. He is the owner of 47 goals in his club career as a midfield player. The 28-year-old star scored two goals in 43 matches for the country. This footballer who won the Copa America for Argentina in 2021 was the best eleven of the season. De Paul will have the main responsibility of managing the midfield of the Argentina team in the World Cup in Qatar.

Leandro Paredes plays as a defensive midfielder. For Argentina, they have the ability to start their own attack by thwarting the opponent’s attack at the beginning. The 27-year-old Parades is getting thinner day by day. He has already played 45 matches for the country, scoring four goals. In the last season, he played for Paris Saint-Germain in 22 matches. In the current season, he is playing regularly against Juventus.

Guido Rodríguez played a role in the Copa America victory for Argentina in 2021. He scored his first international goal in that match against Uruguay. His number of matches in Argentina jersey is 25. Rodriguez played great for Real Betis in the 2021-22 season. Played in 47 matches, scored two goals and assisted three. Betis won the Copa del Rey.

Manuel Lanzini can play as an attacking midfielder in Qatar. He has been in the English club West Ham United since the 2015-16 season. Initially as a loan player in the club but now permanent. In the last season, he played 45 games for the Hammers and scored seven goals. However, not regularly in the Argentina national team. Played only five matches. But he can be Skolani’s trust in Qatar.

Forward players are quite strong:

Scolani is not worried about Argentina’s attack. Rather, the team that Messi and Di Maria play in will always be kept apart by any opponent. There is also Paulo Dybala. This incredibly talented footballer was once thought to be Messi’s future alternative. There has been no reason to withdraw from that thought yet. He has the ability to bring the ball out in a short space, dribbling, and score a goal with a sudden shot from outside the box. Very dangerous in the box. Dybala has already scored 115 goals in 293 matches of his club career. He won the Most Valuable Award in the 2019-20 season in the Italian League for Juventus. In the 2016-17 season, he took the team to the Champions League final. Messi’s Barcelona had to leave in the knock out phase succumbing to Dybala’s superhuman performance. In the last season, he scored 15 goals in 39 matches for the club. Dybala is basically a left winger but can play as a main striker. Or as an attacking midfielder. However, since Messi’s style of play and position match, he did not have the opportunity to enter the field for the national team. Because Messi is the best in the world despite some limitations in his position. After getting his first chance in 2015, he played only 34 matches for the national team. There are three goals. However, he is only 28 years old and still has a lot of time to give his best in international football.

Lautero Martinez is currently the main striker of the Argentina team. After Aguero and Higuain, he is now a regular in the national team. Scolani’s first choice in the striker position, Martinez played 40 international matches and scored 21 goals. In the last Copa America, he scored the second highest three goals for the team after Messi. His number of goals for Argentina in the Latin American qualifiers is seven. Highest with Messi. He played one match less than Messi. Messi had two penalty goals but Martinez had no penalty goals. In the last season for Inter Milan, he scored 25 goals in 49 matches, assisted four. At the moment, Martinez is ready to enter the World Cup as Argentina’s number one forward. At just 23 years old, he has the potential to rule the world as one of Latin America’s best forwards.

27-year-old Ángel Correa has played 22 matches for the country. Scored three goals. He has been in Atletico Madrid since the 2014-15 season. He showed his skills by scoring 12 goals in the last La Liga. Has five assists. Although similar to Aguero in height, many find Carlos Tevez similar to Correa due to his playing style. Skilled in first touch football, this forward has great positional sense. He is one of the weapons in Scolani’s arsenal. Who can be used by the Albaceleste coach in times of danger.

Recent Performance:

Argentina is in great form at the moment. They lost to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America final. Unbeaten in 35 consecutive matches since then. Won the Copa America and La Finalissima. And if they win three matches, Argentina will break Italy’s world record of being unbeaten in 37 consecutive matches. In these 35 matches, Argentina’s victory came in 26 matches and 9 draws. Brazil and Spain have the record of being unbeaten in 35 matches.

Argentina’s possible World Cup squad:

Argentina team currently has no shortage of players. With world-class players in almost every position, selecting the 26 players for the World Cup is a bit of a tough task for coach Scolani. However, seeing the Argentina squad in various competitive and friendly matches in recent times gives some idea about the World Cup team. As such, those who can get a chance in Argentina’s World Cup squad are-

Goalkeepers – Emiliano Martinez, Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli

Defence: Marcos Aquina, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Nehuen Perez, German Pazzella, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico

Midfield – Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alessandro Papu Gomez, Giovani Lo Celso, Alexis McAllister, Exequiel Palacios, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodríguez

Forwards- Julián Alvarez, Joaquin Correa, Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala, Lautero Martinez, Giovanni Simeone, Lionel Messi

Conclusion:

Argentina never won the World Cup after 1986. However, Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ stigma is in that World Cup victory. And Argentina’s fans still can’t find anything to be proud of about the 1978 World Cup. That is why they expect Messi to win at least one World Cup in their own capacity. Where there will be no ‘Black spot’.

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