Argentina

[soul24rage]

Bear in mind too that the World Cup has only been successfully defended twice (by Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962). History isn't in Argentina's favour.

Honestly, history doesn't mean much.

France could have defended with the WC22 and only lost via penalty shootouts. No team has defended the Champions League until RM in 16/17 (although, this was controversial)

Could make the other argument in which no European teams have won in North America and was won by South American countries.

History and Records are meant to be broken.

 

[Maradona37]

Honestly, history doesn't mean much.

France could have defended with the WC22 and only lost via penalty shootouts. No team has defended the Champions League until RM in 16/17 (although, this was controversial)

Could make the other argument in which no European teams have won in North America and was won by South American countries.

History and Records are meant to be broken.

Fair points, and of course I indirectly alluded to the fact that South Americans teams will have an advantage with it being played in North America/the Americas generally.

I guess I am just a liker of these little facts and superstitions. But you're right - history is made to be broken and it's more of an interesting quirk, than anything overly substantial. Maybe the continental advantage matters more than the lack of previous successful defences.

Another factor is that no South American nation has ever defended in the Americas (due to hardly ever winning in Europe), other than the aforementioned successful Brazil in Chile in 1962. I am sure that is the case. That's a fact of Asia and other nations starting to get tournaments, so South Americans win in Japan/S Korea and Qatar. This is only the second time Europe has gone two World Cups without hosting.

 

[soul24rage]

Lineup vs Chile is up!

Can't wait to see the players ball.

 

[Maradona37]

I didn't realise this is on at 2 am (my time). See if I can find a stream.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Lineup vs Chile is up!

Can't wait to see the players ball.

Looking at this squad, I wonder what is the future of this team will look after next WC.

I know they are missing many names, like Enzo and Mccallister, but other than their coach I feel they will be closer to the current level of teams like Germany, Italy and Dutch, rather than the Spanish & French teams. Scaloni might be their biggest asset going forward. Maybe some of their youngsters will have insane progression

 

[jamrock]

Nah they have Spain and France level talent, if anything the team as more talented all around the pitch that it did before

Will be interesting to see how paz that Madridista bastard does for them in the future.

Can't watch any SA Qualifier unfortunately.

 

[soul24rage]

Looking at this squad, I wonder what is the future of this team will look after next WC.

I know they are missing many names, like Enzo and Mccallister, but other than their coach I feel they will be closer to the current level of teams like Germany, Italy and Dutch, rather than the Spanish & French teams. Scaloni might be their biggest asset going forward. Maybe some of their youngsters will have insane progression

I would say that they have the talent to match Spanish and French team, but not proven like theirs. Some youngsters are not selected in the squad like Soule, Perrone and Echeverri.

Even when Messi retires after the WC, there is talent there so I'm worried in that aspect. I'm worried who would succeed Scaloni if he leaves. I would be very surprised to see Scaloni stay on after the WC. Either Placente (U-20 manager with great playstyle and promise) or one of Scaloni's assistant like Aimar would be my pick.

Very very very early prediction but I could see something like this in the WC 2030

-------------------------Alvarez (30)
Nico Paz (25)------Mastantuono (22)-----Soule (27)
----------------Enzo (29)----Barrenechea (27)
Soler (25)—Anselmino (25)--Romero (32)—XXX
-----------------------------XXXX

 

[soul24rage]

Speaking of the game yesterday, loved Balerdi's performance yesterday. If he keeps performing like this, he should be the LCB partnering Cuti.

Otamendi will be back from suspension. Tuesday's game vs Colombia will give indication of who Scaloni prefers as the LCB, to which my guess will be Otamendi, which would be a shame.

Balerdi's hockey assist.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1930796904658477218

 

[khaled_a_d]

I would say that they have the talent to match Spanish and French team, but not proven like theirs. Some youngsters are not selected in the squad like Soule, Perrone and Echeverri.

This is why I said "insane progression ".

Both went to City, massive mistake. Mastantuono going to Madrid isn't the smartest thing either.


For example, Germany won the U17 WC and it doesn't seem any of their kids will make it big, Uruguay U20 seems already wasted, Brazil's hope for a no9 with Roque and Endrick is fading, now a new shinny toy with Estevao. If any of the aforementioned talents get their career back on track, they will improve the NT immensely

Enzo, Mcca, Alvarez, Lautaro are the only sure things in the squad you mentioned, and Romero depending on who you asks, thh. Spain for example has Simons, Hujsen, Cubarsi, Balde, Pedri. Might throw Gavi and Nico too, then you have plenty of potential kids the same way Argentina have, starting with our own Bernal, Guille, Toni.

PS: Argentinian clubs are getting a bit greedy IMO, we are less and less seeing talents going to clubs like Benfica or smaller Liga clubs to develop their talents, and they go directly to Real and City.

 

[soul24rage]

This is why I said "insane progression ".

Both went to City, massive mistake. Mastantuono going to Madrid isn't the smartest thing either.


For example, Germany won the U17 WC and it doesn't seem any of their kids will make it big, Uruguay U20 seems already wasted, Brazil's hope for a no9 with Roque and Endrick is fading, now a new shinny toy with Estevao. If any of the aforementioned talents get their career back on track, they will improve the NT immensely

Enzo, Mcca, Alvarez, Lautaro are the only sure things in the squad you mentioned, and Romero depending on who you asks, thh. Spain for example has Simons, Hujsen, Cubarsi, Balde, Pedri. Might throw Gavi and Nico too, then you have plenty of potential kids the same way Argentina have, starting with our own Bernal, Guille, Toni.

PS: Argentinian clubs are getting a bit greedy IMO, we are less and less seeing talents going to clubs like Benfica or smaller Liga clubs to develop their talents, and they go directly to Real and City.

I'm personally not a fan of going straight to a big club directly. There were talks of Echeverri going to Girona on loan to get some experience like Savinho, but seems like Pep wants to keep him. With City's generational change, maybe this might be a great chance to establish yourself in the first team, but it'll be difficult.

Also not a fan of Mastantuono going straight to Madrid, his competition is fierce (which also include Nico Paz as well) so hoping they loan/sell with buy back clause.

Romero is a sure thing, he's going to be the main captain for the national team after the WC and the impact that he had on defense is enormous.

Spain will no doubt be THE favorite for the WC2030. The venue, talent, age, chemistry, mentality is all indicating in that direction.

 

[ElMagodel304]

They are pretty good but Spain is way more talented..which Argentinian would start in the Spanish starting eleven ? Romero ? And Álvarez.

 

[Temptation]

They are pretty good but Spain is way more talented..which Argentinian would start in the Spanish starting eleven ? Romero ? And Álvarez.

Macca, Dibu and Messi when he's match fit.

Combined 11:

Emi
Porro Romero Huijsen/Cubarsi Cucu
Macca Rodri Pedri
Messi Alvarez Nico

 

[soul24rage]

As of this moment, this is my combo

Nico------Alvarez------Yamal
--------------Messi
---------Pedri-----MacA
Balde---Hujisen---Romero---Molina
--------------Dibu

Rodri is an asterisk as he just came back from ACL. If Rodri gets back to his level of 2022-2023, then replace MacA with Rodri

This team would win the WC back-to-back-to-back

 

[khaled_a_d]

As of this moment, this is my combo

Nico------Alvarez------Yamal
--------------Messi
---------Pedri-----MacA
Balde---Hujisen---Romero---Molina
--------------Dibu

This team would win the WC back-to-back-to-back

Rodri?

 

[soul24rage]

Rodri?

You're too fast

It's more like as of this moment, but added more context for Rodri.