The countdown to the World Cup in Qatar has been announced, with teams announcing their squads, one of the favourites, and Argentina, winner of the Copa America, also announcing a 26-man squad.
Goalkeeper:
Emiliano Martínez (30 years old/Villa), Jironimo Rulli (30 years old/Villarreal), Frank Almani (36 years old/River Plate);
Fullback:
Neville Molina (24/Atletico), Gonzalo Montier (25/Sevilla), Christan Romero (24/Tottenham), Hermann Pezera (31/Betis), Nicolas Otamendi (34/Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (24/Manchester United), Marcus Acuña (31/Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (30/Lyon), Foan Foyz (24/Villarreal);
Midfielder:
Rodrigo de Paul (28/Atletico), Leandro Paredes (28/Juve), Alex McAllister (23/Brighton), Guido Rodríguez (28/Betis), Alejandro Gomez (34/Sevilla), Enzo Fernandez (21/Benfica), Essequière Palacios (24/Bayer Leverkusen);
Striker:
Leo Messi (35/Paris), Lautaro Martinez (25/Inter), Angel Di Maria (34/Juve), Julian Alvarez (22/Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (28/Roma), Nicolás González (24/Fiorentina), Joaquín Correa (28/Inter).
Except for the third goalkeeper Armani, who is from the Serie División, the remaining 25 players are all from the major European leagues, including 9 in La Liga, 6 in Serie A, 5 in the Premier League, 2 in Ligue 1, 2 in the Portuguese Premier League and 1 in the Bundesliga.
Compared with the previous star-studded, but top-heavy lineup, the improvement of the defensive ability of the Argentine team in the Qatar World Cup is undoubtedly the biggest guarantee for the Argentine team to regain the Hercules Cup.
Boss Scaloni has called up nine defenders this time, including experienced veteran centre-back Otamendi, Acuña, who is in his first year of play, Lisandro and Romero, who have been outstanding this season, and Montier, who has grown rapidly. The World Cup squad, formed by the Cup America winners, is aimed at the Copa Hercules.
The injury of midfielder Lo Celso has become the only regret of this squad, after all, the tandem between him and Messi is a huge threat on the offensive end, but De Paul's appearance may surprise fans, and the teenager Enzo is also widely favored.
The striker, by convention, should be a combination of Messi, Di Maria and Lautaro, but Alvarez and Gonzalez also have a chance to have their own World Cup highlights, after all, Di Maria is old and has just recovered from injury.
But the biggest change in Argentina on the offensive end is Messi. Since moving to Grand Paris, Messi's position has gradually retreated, from the previous offensive finisher to a playmaker, but he still comes and goes from time to time to kick the world or plug in the goal. After Messi became a forward waist, Argentina's organizational and offensive methods have become more diverse, and it can also maximize the firepower of Lautaro.
This is Messi's fifth World Cup and will be his last World Cup appearance. In the past 4 World Cups, Messi has appeared 19 times, scored 6 goals, contributed 5 assists, has been sluggish, lost, regretted...
The World Cup in Qatar is Messi's last dance, can he realize his dream this time and lead the Pampas eagle to spread his wings and become a well-deserved new generation of champions?