Argentina

[soul24rage]

Many players are at their peak age, i thought Argentina will struggle to win it again but looks like they are more dangerous than i thought, Messi didnt really decline either🤔🤔

For now, this is my 26 squad. Scaloni will have a different one with a difference of around 5 players I think.

Overall, the 2026 WC squad is stronger than that of 2022 WC squad, but the loss of form of both RBs hurts. Di Maria retiring hurts too but feel that we have enough cover.

 

[soul24rage]

“You were always there, and you were the one who opened the door for me. We’ll never forget you.” — Lionel Messi on Instagram, paying tribute to Omar Souto.

Omar Souto, the legendary National Teams Manager, has passed away at the age of 73. He served the AFA for over 30 years — and in 2003, he played a pivotal role that changed football history forever. It was Souto who personally tracked down Lionel Messi to invite him to represent Argentina. He recalled the story in an interview with La Nación:

“Spain were desperate for him, and he always said no. In 2003 Hugo Tocalli told me we had to find him. When we got back to Buenos Aires, I went to a payphone, tore out the page of the Messi family from the directory, and called his grandmother. Then his uncle. Then finally Jorge in Spain…

‘He’s Lionel,’ Jorge told me, ‘And he’s been waiting for Argentina to call.’”

Shortly after, Messi made his debut in that famous friendly vs Paraguay — and Spain never had another chance. One call from a cyber café changed everything.

Rest in peace, Omar Souto

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1992957997849428419

 

[Hardy]

Now we know the squad size is officially 26 players, this would be my 26 player squad as of right now

GK: E. Martinez (33), Rulli (34), Benitez (33)
RB: Molina (28), Montiel (29)
CB: Romero (28), Anselmino (21), L. Martinez (28), Senesi (29)
LB: Tagli (33), Valentin Gomez (22)

RCM: De Paul (32), Equi (23), Palacios (27)
DM: Enzo (25), Paredes (32)
LCM: MacAllister (27), Lo Celso (30), Paz (21)

RW: Messi (39), Soule (23), Giuliano (23)
FW: Alvarez (26), Martinez (28)
LW: Almada (25), Nico Gonzales (28)

no Mastantuono?

 

[soul24rage]

no Mastantuono?

If the squad were 28 players, then he would be in. In a squad of 26, for me, no.

He's a great talent but his best position is where Messi plays and I'd rather have players who can offer different skills like Soule as a true winger or Simeone who offers grit, true speed and versatility.

 

[Temptation]

Soule

Username bias

Simeone

Passion merchant like his daddy

 

[Hardy]

If the squad were 28 players, then he would be in. In a squad of 26, for me, no.

He's a great talent but his best position is where Messi plays and I'd rather have players who can offer different skills like Soule as a true winger or Simeone who offers grit, true speed and versatility.

Well that count for paz as well, mastantuono is a profile of a player they need, he can play as winger a la di maria.

 

[soul24rage]

Well that count for paz as well, mastantuono is a profile of a player they need, he can play as winger a la di maria.

Paz is more of a CAM, who can also operate in deeper areas and on the left half space (like a Lo Celso profile).

Mastantuono is more of a inverted winger who is more suited in cutting in and linking up centrally (like a Messi profile), he's more of a guy who wants the ball at his feet rather than making those runs off the ball.

 

[Hardy]

Paz is more of a CAM, who can also operate in deeper areas and on the left half space (like a Lo Celso profile).

Mastantuono is more of a inverted winger who is more suited in cutting in and linking up centrally (like a Messi profile), he's more of a guy who wants the ball at his feet rather than making those runs off the ball.

for the record I would call both, there are other players on that list that for me should stay at home, one of them is Nico Gonzales.

 

[Temptation]

Mastantuono >>>>> RDP


They have more than enough midfielders.


RDP plays in the MLS FFS 😂

 

[soul24rage]

for the record I would call both, there are other players on that list that for me should stay at home, one of them is Nico Gonzales.

Fair enough.

For me, Nico Gonzalez has a place in the squad as long as he is used correctly (ala Copa America final 2024). Scaloni uses him more than is needed unfortunately.

 

[soul24rage]

Mastantuono >>>>> RDP


They have more than enough midfielders.


RDP plays in the MLS FFS 😂

Different type of profile.

RDP shouldn't be a starter for me, but he does have a place in the squad for what he offers.

 

[Temptation]

Different type of profile.

RDP shouldn't be a starter for me, but he does have a place in the squad for what he offers.

Mastantuono can cover for Messi and should definitely be in the squad if players like RDP and Paredes who are clearly past their best are in it.

 

[soul24rage]

Mastantuono can cover for Messi and should definitely be in the squad if players like RDP and Paredes who are clearly past their best are in it.

Sure Mastantuono can cover for him, but there are other players who can cover for him as well like Paz.

RDP and Paredes had great individual season in 24/25 and only left Europe due to the clubs' financial reason. Paredes had a great year in the national team this year and was one of the best players along with Almada.

 

[jamrock]

De Paul is a automatic starter and for good reason.

 

[soul24rage]

Nicolas Capaldo is an interesting option for the RB position for the national team. I always liked his profile and his physical ability of intensity, strength and speed is great.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993577458789200106

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1987204524897968485