Players like Ronaldinho, Kaká, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi, among many others, have wowed European audiences recently and given championship glory, fun, and entertainment to teams like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Manchester United. And any major European club’s roster will have at least a few South Americans playing professional football. The South American game, however, manages to maintain competition despite losing thousands of young players to Europe each year, whereas many have emigrated to the Old Continent in quest of fame and wealth after the FIFA World Cup.
More than 2,000 athletes, most of them teenagers, departed Argentina in 2010 to play abroad. This makes the game better in other nations and enables players who have a natural propensity for doing so to have a significant impact on other football cultures by looking for the shrewd pass or using talent where others might choose force. It still displeases hundreds of local supporters who watch helplessly as their most prized possessions are sent abroad to keep their clubs viable.
Lionel Messi
Position: Forward
Age: 35
The only significant trophy that the Argentinian has never held in his hands is the FIFA World Cup. The iconic Messi gained a great deal of comfort by winning the Copa America, his first championship with the senior national team, seven years after narrowly missing out at Brazil 2014. La Pulga (also known as “The Flea”), the symbol of a resurrected team and one of the best players in the world despite the passage of time and the fact that he is now halfway through his 30s, will now go in search of the biggest title of them all.
Even though he may not have the same speed and endurance as before, Messi has changed his style and still has the ability to win games, largely due to his ageless left foot.
Emiliano Martinez
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 29
The first-choice keeper for Argentina had to wait before getting a chance, which he took with both hands. After joining Arsenal in 2010, he was loaned out six times before the injury to Bernd Leno, the team’s then No. 1, in June 2020 offered the Argentinean a long-awaited opportunity to prove his talent. His performances in a struggling Gunners team attracted attention and significantly contributed to the north London club winning the FA Cup that season.
When Leno returned to full fitness, Aston Villa spent £20 million to hire Martinez, who swiftly rose to the position of leader at the Birmingham club and whose name began to be mentioned in connection with the Argentina No. 1 shirt.
Cristian Romero
Position: Defender
Age: 24
Romero has contemplated giving up the game in the past. The Cordoba-born defender was fulfilling his longtime dream of playing for his beloved Belgrano until his future was jeopardized by a disagreement with the club’s executives.
He ultimately relocated to Italian team Genoa, marking the beginning of his transformation into a pillar of Scaloni’s squad. Romero caught Juventus’ attention right away, and they promptly loaned him back to Genoa before giving him to Atalanta, where he played a significant role in the team’s unexpected run to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals in 2019–20. He was later transferred to the Premier League by Tottenham after being named the best defender in Serie A.
Rodrigo de Paul
Position: Midfielder
Age: 28
De Paul began his career as a playmaker No10, just like his two teammates in the Albiceleste midfield, Leandro Paredes and Giovani Lo Celso, a role none of the trio presently fulfills after experiencing numerous reinventions. The Atletico Madrid star has evolved into something of a multi-purpose player, augmenting his innate talent with devotion, endless running, and drive. Paredes is now a sublimely brilliant central midfielder, and Lo Celso is a wide midfielder.
De Paul began his career at Racing Club, where he excelled as a precise passer in a playmaking capacity. He later transferred to Valencia, but his inconsistent play caused him to briefly return on loan to Racing Club.
Lautaro Martinez
Position: Forward
Age: 25
The primary threat to Argentina’s goal throughout the Scaloni era. After making a name for himself with Racing, Martinez moved to Italy to captain Inter Milan, who won the Serie A in 2020–21 in large part due to the goals he scored. He scored 25 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions during that season, and now that he has restored his connection with Romelu Lukaku, Martinez should be at the height of his abilities in Qatar 2022.
In addition to his offensive skills, El Toro, sometimes known as “The Bull,” is crucial to Scaloni’s style as a hard running first line of defense. El Toro helps Messi maintain his energy by absolving him of any defensive duties. Martinez is prepared to shine in Qatar after being denied a spot at Russia 2018 and giving Argentina the edge, they lacked in the three finals they lost before ending their trophy drought against Brazil at the Maracana last year. He will be a part of the FIFA World Cup.
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