The New Era of Argentine Football: Messi and Di Maria Absent from Squad
The Argentina national team is undergoing a significant transformation, and it’s not just about the players. For the first time in 11 years, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria won’t be part of the squad. The news comes as a shock to fans worldwide, but it’s a chance for the team to rebuild and find a new identity.
The 28-man preliminary squad for the matches against Chile and Colombia was announced on Monday, August 19. While Messi is reportedly recovering from his injury sustained in the Copa America Final, Di Maria has already announced his retirement from international football.
Messi’s absence is a huge blow to the team, but it’s not the only challenge they face. The team has been struggling to find consistency, and the loss of their talismanic forward will require significant adjustments. However, this could be an opportunity for other players to step up and prove themselves.
The squad announced by coach Lionel Scaloni includes all the top players, except for Messi, Di Maria, and Paulo Dybala. The team will be led by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has been in impressive form for Aston Villa.
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
- Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven)
- Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille)
- Juan Musso (Atalanta)
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Defenders:
- Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla)
- Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
- Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Germán Pezzella (River Plate)
- Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille)
- Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
- Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)
- Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon)
- Valentín Barco (Brighton)
Midfielders:
- Leandro Paredes (AS Roma)
- Guido Rodríguez (West Ham United)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
- Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Ezequiel Fernández (Al Qadsiah)
- Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards:
- Nicolás González (Fiorentina)
- Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
- Matías Soulé (AS Roma)
- Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
- Valentín Carboni (Olympique de Marseille)
- Julián Álvarez (Atletico Madrid)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
- Valentín Castellanos (Lazio)
What’s Next?
The Argentine national team is at a crossroads, and it’s unclear what the future holds. However, one thing is certain – the team needs to find a way to move on from the loss of Messi and Di Maria. The squad announced by Scaloni has potential, but it’s up to the players to prove themselves.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Argentine national team and the football world. Follow us on all social media platforms for more news, analysis, and opinions.