Argentina national football team are looking to retain their Copa America this summer, and they will be going in with Lionel Messi captaining the side once again. They are also keeping hold of Lionel Scaloni and will be keen on taking a squad similar to that which won the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Scaloni was close to leaving the Argentina national team earlier this season as he was unsure if he was capable of leading them. He said:
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well … I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time. These players have given a lot to the coaching staff and I need to think a lot about what I’m going to do.”
Scaloni added:
“It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning. These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards.”
However, the manager has now settled things with the AFA President and is set to continue. He added:
“There was a lot of talking, but I always told the truth. There were moments to think and know what to do. It was not a farewell or anything. I was thinking about how the national team goes on and the moment also to allow space for the youngsters, and this is important for us. It was a moment of reflection.”
Here is a possible starting XI (Argentina lineups Copa America) for Argentina at Copa America:
GK – Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez has not been at his best with Aston Villa this season. However, there is no chance he will be replaced in goal and will continue to be the #1 at Copa America.
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RB – Nahuel Molina
Nahuel Molina has been doing well with Atletico Madrid and should be the ideal player to be starting at right-back for Argentina.
CB – Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero has been in fine form for Tottenham and has been rock-solid every time he has played for the national team. He should be the leader at the back for the defending champions at Copa America.
CB – Nicolas Otamendi
Nicolas Otamendi is likely to be playing his final Copa America and will be looking to carry his Benfica form to the tournament in the United States.
LB – Marcos Acuna
Marcos Acuna is recovering well from his hip injury and should be fit enough to start at Copa America. He will be the ideal player to go up and down the left flank with Mac Allister pushing inside.
RF – Angel di Maria
Angel di Maria has announced that he will be retiring after the Copa America this summer. He will be keen on starting on the right side of the attack and should be the first name there as he has been doing well at Benfica.
RCM – Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez might not be in fine form like he was at Benfica and the FIFA World Cup, but the Chelsea star will retain his position as the starting midfielder as he can spring passes over the opponent’s defense for Alvarez and Messi.
CM – Rodrigo De Paul
Fans mock Rodrigo De Paul as the on-field bodyguard for Lionel Messi, but he sure is the ideal player to guard the defense by sitting right in front of them and keeping the opponents from counter-attacking.
LCM – Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister has played as the deep-lying midfielder for Liverpool and also as a box-to-box this season. He is likely to play in both roles for Argentina this summer as he will keep switching with Rodrigo de Paul.
ST – Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has hinted that he could call it time on his international career after Copa America. He wants to continue playing for the national side until he can deliver at the top level and said in 2023:
“As long as I feel good and I can continue to deliver, I’m going to do it (continue playing with Argentina). All I’m thinking about today is getting to the Copa America and being able to play in it. Then time will tell whether I’ll be at the World Cup or not. I’m going to be at an age (39) that normally doesn’t allow me to play in the World Cup.”
He added:
“Maybe we’ll do well in the Copa America, and everything will work out for me to continue. Maybe not. It’s hard. Being a world champion changed me in the peace of mind knowing that, in my job, I could achieve everything.”
He will be the captain of Argentina once again and he will have a lot of experience under his best this summer as he will be playing across the USA for the next six months, right before the tournament is held.
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LF – Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez will be fighting Lautaro Martinez for the starting spot this summer at Copa America. The Manchester City star links up well with Lionel Messi and should be getting the nod ahead of the Inter Milan star despite the striker’s form in Serie A.