Lionel Messi will be a man on a mission at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and his Argentina national team are on board for it.
The 35-year-old icon is aiming for the pinnacle of his storied career by winning the sport’s most prestigious trophy, which has eluded him in four previous attempts. He has already confirmed that this will be his last World Cup.
Brazil and France are the two favorites heading into the tournament by punters and fans, but Argentina hosting the World Cuphttps://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/argentina-world-cup-squad-2022-roster-players-national-team/xqgzvqoh9dyy6jzp11met0bg in December is a very feasible outcome given the string of results that manager Lionel Scaloni has lined up: a 35-game unbeaten run, just three short of the world record .
Scaloni has tactfully molded this team since taking over in 2018 and his work culminated in the 2021 Copa America triumph on Brazilian soil, giving Messi his first trophy with the senior national team and finally ridding him of the criticism that has dogged him on his travels. for his country.
Now, after suffocating European champions Italy over the summer, Argentina’s train is only growing, especially after what looks like a potentially favorable draw and a trip to the final in Qatar.
Here is the projected preliminary roster and final squad for Argentina at the World Cup based on Scaloni’s call-up and squad decisions in recent months.
Argentina World Cup squad 2022
Manager Scaloni has until Friday, October 21 to submit to FIFA an official preliminary list of 35-55 players, from which he will select his final 26-man roster for Qatar by Monday, November 14.
Based on World Cup qualifying squads and friendly rosters over the past year, these are the names most likely to be on Scaloni’s preliminary list.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Franco Armani | River Plate (ARG) | 36 | 18 |
| Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa (ENG) | 30 | 18 |
| Goalkeeper | Agustin Marchesin | Celta Vigo (ESP) | 34 | 8 |
| Goalkeeper | Juan Musso | Atalanta (ITA) | 28 | 2 |
| Goalkeeper | Geronimo Rulli | Villarreal (ESP) | 30 | 4 |
| Defender | Marcos Acuna | Sevilla (ESP) | 30 | 42 |
| Defender | Juan Foyth | Villarreal (ESP) | 24 | 15 |
| Defender | Lisandro Martinez | Man United (ENG) | 24 | 9 |
| Defender | Lucas Martinez-Quarta | Fiorentina (ITA) | 26 | 11 |
| Defender | Facundo Medina | RC Lens (FRA) | 23 | 2 |
| Defender | Nahuel Molina | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 18 |
| Defender | Gonzalo Montiel | Sevilla (ESP) | 25 | 18 |
| Defender | Nicolas Otamendi | Benfica (POR) | 34 | 92 |
| Defender | Nehuen Perez | Udinese (ITA) | 22 | 1 |
| Defender | German Pezzella | Real Betis (ESP) | 31 | 31 |
| Defender | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (ENG) | 24 | 12 |
| Defender | Marcos Senesi | Bournemouth (ENG) | 25 | 1 |
| Defender | Nicolas Tagliafico | Lyon (FRA) | 30 | 42 |
| Midfielder | Emiliano Buendia | Aston Villa (ENG) | 25 | 1 |
| Midfielder | Rodrigo De Paul | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 28 | 43 |
| Midfielder | Nico Dominguez | Bologna (ITA) | 24 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Enzo Fernandez | Benfica (POR) | 21 | 2 |
| Midfielder | Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez | Sevilla (ESP) | 34 | 15 |
| Midfielder | Giovani Lo Celso | Villarreal (ESP) | 26 | 41 |
| Midfielder | Alexis Mac Allister | Brighton (ENG) | 23 | 7 |
| Midfielder | Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen (GER) | 24 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Leandro Paredes | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 45 |
| Midfielder | Guido Rodriguez | Real Betis (ESP) | 28 | 25 |
| Forward | Lucas Alario | Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) | 30 | 9 |
| Forward | Thiago Almada | Atlanta United (USA) | 21 | 1 |
| Forward | Julian Alvarez | Man City (ENG) | 22 | 11 |
| Forward | Angel Correa | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 27 | 22 |
| Forward | Joaquin Correa | Inter Milan (ITA) | 28 | 18 |
| Forward | Angel Di Maria | Juventus (ITA) | 34 | 123 |
| Forward | Paulo Dybala | AS Roma (ITA) | 28 | 34 |
| Forward | Nico Gonzalez | Fiorentina (ITA) | 24 | 21 |
| Forward | Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan (ITA) | 25 | 40 |
| Forward | Lionel Messi | PSG (FRA) | 35 | 164 |
| Forward | Lucas Ocampos | Ajax (NED) | 28 | 10 |
| Forward | Giovanni Simeone | Napoli (ITA) | 27 | 5 |
Final 26-man Argentina World Cup roster
Scaloni’s hand could be forced due to current injuries afflicting potential call-ups Juan Musso, Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, Exequiel Palacios, and Giovani Lo Celso. But with a team as talented as Argentina’s, there will still be debate around a few of the potential exclusions. Manchester United center-back Lisandro Martinez is likely to be one of them, given the position features others ahead of him in the pecking order.
The most interesting moves will come at the forward position, where Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa could potentially sit out if Scaloni opts for Napoli forward Giovanni Simeone, who’s been on a sensational run of scoring form in the last year. That touch could come in handy at the opportune moment in Qatar.
Below is the predicted final 26-man squad and The Sporting News will update this section once it’s been confirmed.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Franco Armani | River Plate (ARG) | 36 | 18 |
| Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa (ENG) | 30 | 18 |
| Goalkeeper | Geronimo Rulli | Villarreal (ESP) | 30 | 4 |
| Defender | Marcos Acuna | Sevilla (ESP) | 30 | 42 |
| Defender | Nahuel Molina | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 18 |
| Defender | Gonzalo Montiel | Sevilla (ESP) | 25 | 18 |
| Defender | Nicolas Otamendi | Benfica (POR) | 34 | 92 |
| Defender | Nehuen Perez | Udinese (ITA) | 22 | 1 |
| Defender | German Pezzella | Real Betis (ESP) | 31 | 31 |
| Defender | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (ENG) | 24 | 12 |
| Defender | Nicolas Tagliafico | Lyon (FRA) | 30 | 42 |
| Midfielder | Rodrigo De Paul | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 28 | 43 |
| Midfielder | Enzo Fernandez | Benfica (POR) | 21 | 2 |
| Midfielder | Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez | Sevilla (ESP) | 34 | 15 |
| Midfielder | Giovani Lo Celso | Villarreal (ESP) | 26 | 41 |
| Midfielder | Alexis Mac Allister | Brighton (ENG) | 23 | 7 |
| Midfielder | Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen (GER) | 24 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Leandro Paredes | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 45 |
| Midfielder | Guido Rodriguez | Real Betis (ESP) | 28 | 25 |
| Forward | Julian Alvarez | Man City (ENG) | 22 | 11 |
| Forward | Joaquin Correa | Inter Milan (ITA) | 28 | 18 |
| Forward | Angel Di Maria | Juventus (ITA) | 34 | 123 |
| Forward | Paulo Dybala | AS Roma (ITA) | 28 | 34 |
| Forward | Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan (ITA) | 25 | 40 |
| Forward | Lionel Messi | PSG (FRA) | 35 | 164 |
| Forward | Giovanni Simeone | Napoli (ITA) | 27 | 5 |
Argentina national team stars, strengths & weaknesses
It’s World Cup final or bust for Argentina, but instead of those expectations weighing heavily on the Albiceleste, they’re actually fueling its biggest star and his supporting cast.
Argentina’s run at the 2021 Copa America was likely a preview of what we can expect from Scaloni’s crew in Qatar: a compact side that’s difficult to play against, and one that is capable of patiently controlling a game before striking with a flash of brilliance in front of goal from one of its world-class attackers.
Stars
Lionel Messi doesn’t have to do it all like he used to in many of the past tournaments for Argentina, when teammates would shuffle the ball to him and hope he could singlehandedly produce the game-breaking play.
These days Messi’s role is more of a facilitator. And in doing so he gets to pick and choose the moments when he feels he can take over a game as opposed to being expected to do it on every attack.
Here’s what we know for sure about Messi in Qatar: His mazy dribbling runs will open up space for his teammates, his free kicks will cause ‘keepers to shudder on their line, and his passing vision will make opposing defenses look foolish. And he will tackle and fight for every ball like it’s the last game of his career.
Strengths
The attacking talent that Argentina can boast has always been one of their calling cards at international tournaments. But this time the Albiceleste have a rugged, balanced and supremely skillful passing midfield that dictates the pace of play.
The first-choice trio of Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, and Rodrigo De Paul have often been the standouts on their near-record unbeaten run. If they’re humming in a game, then Argentina is likely winning it.
Guido Rodriguez will occasionally fill in for Paredes in the deep-lying position with the talented Enzo Fernandez ready to provide an attacking, creative spark should the team need it off the bench.
Weaknesses
This is a team with few weak points provided their first-choice starting XI is available. If Angel Di Maria can’t go due to injury, that would deny Argentina of their most unpredictable attacking weapon after Messi, who recently expressed concerned over the availability of his long-time teammate who like Messi, will also be playing in his last World Cup.
While Di Maria’s absence could become a weak point, the goalkeeper position is the Achilles’ heel though it hasn’t cost them just yet.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez has built a cult following with his performances as a starter for his country, especially in penalty shootouts, as he transforms in an Argentina kit. But he has had mixed showings for his club team thus far and if he’s not on form, their last line of defense could be susceptible.
MORE: Complete FIFA World Cup 2022 match schedule, dates & times
Argentina World Cup group
No. 3-ranked Argentina should finish top of Group C with a squad that outclasses the other three opponents even though Mexico have given them some tough World Cup matches in the past.
The opening match against Saudi Arabia should allow Messi and his teammates to get their motors warmed up before the crunch match against Mexico. The finale against Poland could have first place on the line.
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tues, Nov. 22 | Argentina vs. S. Arabia | 5 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Tues, Nov. 22 | Mexico vs. Poland | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Poland vs. S. Arabia | 8 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Argentina vs. Mexico | 2 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Poland vs. Argentina | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | S. Arabia vs. Mexico | 2 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |