Lionel Messi once again spearheads Argentina's charge in the 2022 World Cup. Following their stunning triumph in the Copa America, Argentina clinched the 2022 Finalissima trophy, triumphing over Italy. This makes Argentina a formidable contender in the quest for the World Cup trophy as December draws near.
Under coach Lionel Scaloni's guidance, Argentina has evolved into a unified force. With this being Messi's final World Cup, fans are banking on Scaloni's decision to enlist the maestro, hoping it will solidify La Pulga's already illustrious trophy collection.
By centering the game around Messi, Argentina sets lofty aspirations for this tournament. The selection of Messi's accompanying player by Scaloni adds an intriguing dimension. Here, the Starting Eleven delves into Argentina's squad depth, envisioning them as potential champions of the 2022 World Cup.
Goalkeeper
Starting with the goalkeeping position, Lionel Scaloni presents three top-notch choices from Argentina's roster. Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, Villarreal's Geronimo Rulli, and experienced goalkeeper Franco Armani, now plying his trade in the Argentine league with River Plate. Notably absent from Scaloni's call is veteran goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who led Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final.
Emiliano Martinez appears poised to assume Argentina's primary goalkeeping role in Qatar. Scaloni's preference for him stems from Emi's all-around skills as a goalkeeper. His precision in passing is commendable, his ability to intercept crosses is seamless, and crucially, Emi Martinez excels in one-on-one confrontations during penalty shootouts—an attribute vividly displayed in an exceptional performance during the Copa America 2021.
In the semi-final against Colombia, Emi was a standout in the decisive penalty shootout. The former Arsenal goalkeeper thwarted three of Colombia's five shots, including Yerry Mina's attempt that even Messi couldn't help but applaud. At the culmination of the tournament, Emi not only lifted the trophy but also boasted four clean sheets from seven matches.
Regarding the secondary goalkeeper position, Scaloni reportedly favors Armani over Rulli, as per Goal's report. The River Plate shot-stopper is believed to possess more extensive international match experience compared to Rulli, with Armani amassing 18 caps for the Albiceleste while Rulli has featured in merely four games.
Defender
In the realm of defense, Scaloni orchestrates a roster boasting nine formidable names. A blend of youthful talent—Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Juan Foyth, Nahuel Molina—together with seasoned stalwarts like Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, and German Pezzella stand as guardians of the Argentine backline.
Despite venturing into his thirties, Otamendi remains Scaloni's primary pick for this World Cup. His consistent displays at Benfica speak volumes, partnering with Antonio Silva to keep Benfica undefeated in the league, conceding merely seven goals in 13 games.
Within the national team setup, Otamendi's companion in defense will be Spurs' center-back, Cristian Romero. Since Antonio Conte's arrival in London, the 24-year-old's prowess has soared, establishing an almost irreplaceable presence in the Spurs' defensive structure. Their partnership harmonizes perfectly—Romero excels in ground and aerial duels, while Otamendi masterminds ball distribution and contributes to the attack.
Yet, Scaloni also values another standout performer, the tenacious Lisandro Martinez, showcasing remarkable form at his new club and vying for a spot in Argentina's starting lineup at the World Cup.
Regarding the full-back positions, Scaloni entrusts Nahuel Molina on the right, boasting 20 caps with Argentina. On the left flank, Nicolas Tagliafico maintains his tenure since the 2018 World Cup. For rotational purposes, Scaloni looks to Juan Foyth and Marcos Acuna, adding depth and flexibility to the defensive line.
Quarterback
Argentina's midfield presents a formidable force, boasting seasoned talents well-versed in the European football landscape, albeit missing Giovani Lo Celso due to injury.
Deploying a 4-4-2 setup, Scaloni entrusts Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul as the pivotal duo in the heart of the field. De Paul's incisive attacking instincts complement Paredes' orchestrating of the game's rhythm, forging an ideal partnership.
Flanking this duo are the right and left midfielders. Scaloni typically tasks Angel Di Maria with a slightly deeper role on the right, providing an alternative creative force akin to Messi, particularly in dismantling defenses from the wing. Meanwhile, emerging talents like Alexis Mac Allister earn Scaloni's confidence to occupy the left sector.
Should Scaloni opt for a 4-3-3 formation, Paredes assumes the role of a lone pivot behind Mac Allister and De Paul or slots in Guido Rodriguez as the defensive midfielder, pushing Paredes and De Paul further up the field. Furthermore, for added versatility, Scaloni could position Lionel Messi or Papu Gomez as the "number 10," forming a trio with Paredes and De Paul.
Enzo Fernandez and Exequiel Palacios, the young prospects, stand ready to maintain squad depth and potentially step in for Paredes or De Paul, providing a fresh perspective if Scaloni seeks to tweak his tactical approach.
Striker
Argentina's attacking arsenal emerges as one of the most opulent at the 2022 World Cup, boasting a star-studded lineup featuring Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Joaquín Correa, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Gonzalez, Papu Gomez, and Paulo Dybala.
However, Scaloni's strategic choices in the past year have primarily revolved around deploying either two or three strikers, leaving some of these striking options unutilized, save for the indomitable La Pulga.
Scaloni appears averse to employing a lone striker with a traditional number "9." In the three-striker setup, Messi often assumes the central role as a false nine rather than relying on the likes of Julián Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez, both recognized as pure strikers. Joaquín Correa, Papu Gomez, Paulo Dybala, and Angel Di Maria take turns supporting Messi in this formation.
In scenarios with two strikers, Scaloni opts for either Julián Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez alongside Messi, as evidenced in several trial matches. However, Scaloni sidelined the Alvarez-Messi pairing in Argentina's recent 5-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates.
With such a wealth of talent at his disposal, Scaloni's challenge lies not in concocting the best composition, given the slight differences in abilities among Argentine players. Both the core and reserve squads boast formidable strength. The pivotal challenge remains in how Scaloni navigates the pressure while Argentina operates as underdogs in this World Cup.
source: FFT, SI, Goal, Sporting News, The Athletic
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