Argentina Squad, best player, team guide, starting XI, formation, team strengths & weaknesses for FIFA World Cup 2022

Argentina Squad, best player, team guide, starting XI, formation, team strengths & weaknesses for FIFA World Cup 2022

Lionel Scaloni’s new Argentina team can aim for everything, especially with a more comfortable Messi after winning the Copa America in 2021. They may not be a star-studded team, but they are well organized, competitive, and difficult to break down. In fact, they have gone 31 games without losing, their greatest unbeaten streak in history. Be wary of Messi, who has set his eyes on winning his final World Cup. Below Team Analysis: Argentina Squad FIFA World Cup 2022

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 trying to capture the sport’s most coveted prize, something that has eluded him in his previous four efforts, as the pinnacle of his illustrious career. His announcement that this will be his final World Cup has already been made.

Although Brazil and France are the two pre-tournament favorites, Argentina winning the Global Cup in December is a very likely scenario considering the string of victories that manager Lionel Scaloni has orchestrated: a 35-match unbeaten streak that is just 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.

Argentina Squad FIFA World Cup 2022

Three days before the FIFA-imposed deadline, on Friday, November 11, Scaloni announced his final 26-man roster.

The FIFA asked manager Scaloni to submit an official preliminary list of 35–55 players by Friday, October 21. By Monday, November 14, Scaloni was obliged to name his final 26-player team for Qatar from this list.

The final 26-man list is shown here.

PositionPlayerClub     AgeCaps
GoalkeeperFranco ArmaniRiver Plate (ARG)3618
GoalkeeperEmiliano MartinezAston Villa (ENG)3018
GoalkeeperGeronimo RulliVillarreal (ESP)304
DefenderMarcos AcunaSevilla (ESP)3042
DefenderJuan FoythVillarreal (ESP)2415
DefenderLisandro MartinezMan United (ENG)249
DefenderNahuel MolinaAtletico Madrid (ESP)2418
DefenderGonzalo MontielSevilla (ESP)2518
DefenderNicolas OtamendiBenfica (POR)3492
DefenderGerman PezzellaReal Betis (ESP)3131
DefenderCristian RomeroTottenham (ENG)2412
DefenderNicolas TagliaficoLyon (FRA)3042
MidfielderRodrigo De PaulAtletico Madrid (ESP)2843
MidfielderEnzo FernandezBenfica (POR)212
MidfielderAlejandro ‘Papu’ GomezSevilla (ESP)3415
MidfielderAlexis Mac AllisterBrighton (ENG)237
MidfielderExequiel PalaciosBayer Leverkusen (GER)2420
MidfielderLeandro ParedesJuventus (ITA)2845
MidfielderGuido RodriguezReal Betis (ESP)2825
ForwardJulian AlvarezMan City (ENG)2211
ForwardJoaquin CorreaInter Milan (ITA)2818
ForwardAngel Di MariaJuventus (ITA)34123
ForwardPaulo DybalaAS Roma (ITA)2834
ForwardNico GonzalezFiorentina (ITA)2421
ForwardLautaro MartinezInter Milan (ITA)2540
ForwardLionel MessiPSG (FRA)35164

Argentina best player, national team strengths & weaknesses

Argentina must make the World Cup final or face elimination, but rather than burdening the Albiceleste, these expectations are actually motivating the team’s top player and his supporting cast.

Argentina’s performance at the 2021 Copa America was probably an indicator of what to anticipate from Scaloni’s team in Qatar: a compact team that is challenging to play against and one that is capable of patiently controlling a game before scoring with a moment of brilliance in front of goal from one of its elite attackers.

Best Player

Lionel Messi doesn’t have to do everything as he did in many of Argentina’s previous tournaments, when teammates would pass the ball to him in the hopes that he would come up with the game-winning play alone.

Messi’s function today is more of a facilitator. And by doing so, he avoids being required to do so on every attack and instead gets to choose the instances in which he feels he can dominate a game.

What is certain regarding Messi in Qatar is as follows: He will create space for his teammates with his crazy dribbling runs, scare opponents’ goalkeepers off their lines with his free kicks, and humiliate their defense with his slick passing. And he will tackle and compete for every ball as if it were his final game.

Strengths

Argentina’s ability to attack has always been one of their strengths in international competitions. However, the Albiceleste are in control of the game’s tempo this time around thanks to a tough, balanced, and incredibly skilled passing midfield.

On their nearly undefeated run, players like Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul frequently stood out. Argentina are probably winning a game if they are humming.

Paredes will occasionally be replaced by Guido Rodriguez in the deep-lying position, with the excellent Enzo Fernandez ready to come off the bench and add an offensive, creative spark if the club needs it.

Weaknesses

If they can field their first-choice starting XI, this team doesn’t have many weaknesses. Although it hasn’t yet harmed them, the goalie position is the team’s Achilles’ heel.

Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez of Aston Villa has developed a cult following for his starting performances for his nation, particularly in penalty shootouts where he transforms into an Argentina player. However, his performances for his club team have been inconsistent thus far, and if he’s off, their final line of defense could be exposed.

Argentina Group FIFA World Cup 2022

Even though Mexico has historically provided them with challenging World Cup matches, No. 3-ranked Argentina should win Group C with a team that is superior to the other three opponents.

Messi and his colleagues should be able to warm up their engines before the crucial battle against Mexico during the opening match against Saudi Arabia. First place might be on the line in the decisive game versus Poland.

DateMatchTime (ET)Stadium
Tues, Nov. 22Argentina vs. S. Arabia5 a.m.Lusail Stadium
Tues, Nov. 22Mexico vs. Poland11 a.m.Stadium 974
Sat, Nov. 26Poland vs. S. Arabia8 a.m.Education City Stadium
Sat, Nov. 26Argentina vs. Mexico2 p.m.Lusail Stadium
Wed, Nov. 30Poland vs. Argentina2 p.m.Stadium 974
Wed, Nov. 30S. Arabia vs. Mexico2 p.m.Lusail Stadium

Argentina Projected starting XI

GK: Emiliano Martinez

DFs: Acuña — Cristian Romero — Nicolas Otamendi — Montiel

MFs: Rodrigo De Paul — Leandro Paredes — Lo Celso

FWs: Angel Di Maria — Lionel Messi — Lautaro Martinez

Argentina Line-Up (1-4-3-3)

Argentina starting XI

Spain Coach FIFA World Cup 2022

LIONEL SCALONI

After winning the Copa America last sum-mer, Scaloni has managed to put together a very solid team with character and qual-ity, with no internal or external feuds.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022 Teams and Meet the full list of qualified countries

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