If there is one team under the heaviest pressure to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, it is Argentina. Qatar 2022 is the last time we will see Lionel Messi on the world’s biggest stage, giving the Argentinian genius one final opportunity to equal his great countryman and hero – Diego Maradona – and win the World Cup. Messi finally got his hands on some silverware for his country in 2021 when he took Argentina to a Copa America triumph, and the PSG forward backed it up with another majestic performance against Italy in the Finalissima this summer.
However, there is only one prize in world football that matters above all else, the World Cup. Messi’s dreams of a World Cup triumph were cruelly cut short in 2014, with Germany beating Argentina in the final in extra time. However, the country arguably have an even better chance of going all the way in Qatar 2022 with the form they have shown in the last 18 months. Under manager Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar without tasting defeat in 35 games, two short of the record set by Italy and Roberto Mancini between 2018 and 2021.
All the gears are falling in place for Messi and Argentina to taste success in Qatar, and 2022 could be the year when the boy from Rosario is finally crowned as the King of the world.
Argentina have been a fairly settled side through this winning run under Scaloni, and here is how they should line up at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Emiliano Martinez has been a revelation in goal for Argentina across the past few years. After bursting onto the scenes for Arsenal in their run to an FA Cup final victory in 2020, Martinez played a key role in Argentina’s 2021 Copa America victory in Brazil, their first major title in 28 years. The Aston Villa goalkeeper is not flawless with his feet but is an excellent shot-stopper and one of the best penalty-savers in world football.
Cristian Cuti Romero has revitalised the back four and is yet to lose in an Argentina shirt since entering the side, while his partner Nicolas Otamendi has truckloads of experience at the highest level and has ironed out some of the erratic defending in his game in his 30s.
At left-back, Nicolas Tagliafico has cemented his place in the side over the past few years and is likely to edge out his former Ajax teammate Lisandro Martinez, despite the Manchester United man’s excellent club form off-late. Atletico Madrid right-back Nahuel Molina has also made that spot his own throughout Argentina’s golden run.
In midfield, Leandro Paredes will operate as the deep-lying playmaker and enforcer, with Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis Mac Allister as the two number-eights next to him. Giovani Lo Celso was a fixture in Argentina’s Copa America winning side, but the former Tottenham midfielder has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 due to injury, allowing the Brighton star – Mac Allister- to take his place in the side.
Up front, everything revolves around Lionel Messi. The PSG and former Barcelona star will operate from the right wing but has the freedom to roam into central areas to dictate most attacks. Angel di Maria has recovered from his recent hamstring injury and should start on the left, with Lautaro Martinez set to pip Julian Alvarez as the centre forward.
Argentina have ticked most of the necessary boxes heading into the FIFA World Cup 2022, with plenty of individual quality in the XI along with the togetherness and cohesion of a club side. Additionally, the feeling around the team and country is that they owe Lionel Messi this title, and this spirit and unity could be the defining factor that takes them to the final in Qatar this winter.
[Featured Image Credit: Leo Messi]
Shivaan Shah