Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

Hard to say, Messi gets injured often in first few years of his career, metatarsal, hamstring, ankle etc, but he managed to avoid major injury in last 15 years. Di Maria used to be injury prone like Dybala , particularly his hamstring, yet he seems to be alot more sturdy in last 5 years.

Aguero knee injury did become a reccuring problem, even if wasnt heart problem, his knee already started to breaking down.

 

I've read people say that after Maradona's injury in Spain he was never the same as he was with Boca or before. Hard to believe that.

Same I heard after messi's 2013 injury. Hard to believe that too.

 

Messi's pace did get slower after that 2013 injury.

After 2013, his pace is still fast, but not as fast as that of 2007-2012. His pace before his injury made him a 1 man army at times.

 

This is just my gut feeling and I know that we are far away from the WC, but I feel that these are the 23 players that has the highest chance to be selected for the WC26 by Scaloni, regardless of their club form.

Since there is 1 more match in the WC assuming the team gets to the final, I would think that the squad size will be 28 player squad. I could see where Scaloni just uses these 23 players and the 5 extra players are just there in case.

GK: E. Martinez (33), Rulli (34), Musso (32)

RB: Molina (28), Montiel (29)
CB: Romero (28), Balerdi (27), Pezzella (35), Otamendi (38)
LB: Tagli (33), L. Martinez (28)

RM: De Paul (32), Palacios (27)
DM: Enzo (25), Paredes (32)
CM: MacAllister (27), Lo Celso (30)

RW: Messi (39), Dybala (32)
FW: Martinez (28), Alvarez (26)
LW: Nico Gonzales (28), Garnacho (22)

If these are the players to be selected, defense would be my biggest concern.
- Fullback position is a very intensive position. How would Tagliafico perform at the age of 33?
- I would assume that Romero and Lisandro will be the CB pairing, but I'm hoping that Balerdi would be the 3rd choice option ahead of Pezzella and Otamendi

 

Messi was also getting older. In 2014 he was 27 years old ( I keep thinking he's like 23 at that time, but no he was older). Maybe the injury stopped him a bit, but that pace he kept was absolutely going to slow down as he came closer to 30 years old. There's no way you can keep doing that 3-4 times a week and keep that optimal performance without slowing down. It was more about age than anything.

Even Maradaon at 26 years old said "I'm 26 years old, I'm old... " he said jokingly when someone asked him a certain question. He knew well enough that things weren't the same when he was 19 in terms of pace.

1000 page

 

Oh yeah, I agree that he was going to slow down eventually, but felt that the injury accelerated that process by 2-3 years too early.

Even towards the end of the 12/13 season when he was about 25 years old, he didn't showed that alien pace that made him a 1-man army.

 

I mentioned it here about 12-13 years ago, where I stated, "whenever Messi begins to slow-down, he will likely drop into the midfield and help set-up goals." It was obvious when he was 20-21 that he had the skill-set to cut teams in half with a single pass. Yes, Messi slowed down, at least in terms of speed, but he found other ways to kill teams. He became more of a complete player.

How lucky we've been to watch him from the get-go.

 

Messi in 2015, 1 year after WC 2014 final...



Still a one man army.

Maradona in WC 1990, almost 30 years old with swollen ankle..



Still a one man army.



Any other players would have been lucky to have that kind of magic moments once or twice in their career but for Messi and Maradona, they got too many magic moments that we unconsciously becoming less appreciative of what they've done.

 

Messi at 35, WC knockout stage.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7vCJfEuFntw

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VbQ1I850rI8

 

I'm not over worry about Tagliafico, but the omission of Pezzella and Otamendi is a must. I fear that Otamendi 3 goals that gave us 7 points means Scaloni will blindly pick him as long he;s not injured.

Pezzella is also a walking disaster, he's watching the ball flying above him rather than trying to jump to head that cross which led into their equalizer. I mean, even RDP tries to jump on that one and he's not a defender. He also failed to control a simple throw from Rulli...

 

I'm talking more about pace. Compare 2015 with 2012.

2012 was a lot lighter and more nimble who can move side ways a lot easier and faster in acceleration. That version can make more long run distances as well. 2012 Messi had both alien pace and dribbling and 2015 Messi had amazing pace and alien dribbling.

 

I'm not worried about Otamendi in 26, being like a sub to close a game, put a back line of 5 and done, but I'm worried about Pezzella

 

Yeah he can still do that. He adapted to use his weight and control skills more. There's still an obvious drop in pace, acccleration and immediate ball recovery twitch muscle reaction (which is what we're saying). Also he did these sporadicaly during his 2022 season, especially in the world cup. Going hard also cost him an injury. Eventually it did catch up to him.

Luckily it was after winning the big one.

 

He's definetely stronger in 2021-2022 during the WC and CA simply because of determination. Remember he played all 7 games in those tournaments, including multiple extra time and still sprinting hard in 120th minute of WC final to squared the ball for Lautaro. He's did some crazy solo against Colombia in 2021 semi, they fouled him 6 times and he got injured as a result . That's why he didnt look strong in the final against Brazil.

 

It affected him I think. All injuries are cumulative. They leave their mark on the body especially as it ages. Maradona was subject to disgraceful tackles every week but then again were all forwards & often they did retaliate. There used to be a kicking match off the ball between them & the defenders.

Messi like Maradona adapted his game as he aged. There is simply no replacement for football IQ which is a combination of experience, spatial awareness, muscle memory & decision making. Ninety times out of a hundred both of them would make the correct decision and make it to perfection. That's what sets these players above the rest. The sheer consistency & ability to see things other players cannot. Because most other players cannot see what they see it also means and has meant that a lot of potential assists have been wasted. Because the other players simply are not on the same level.

Can you imagine a team with Messi & Maradona in their primes playing together. Build a defensive unit at the back, solid two man defensive midfield throw in a couple of attackers & well no one else need bother turning up to contest any title.

 

GK: E. Martinez (33), Benitez (33), Musso (32)

RB: Molina (28), Montiel (29)
CB: Romero (28), Balerdi (27), L. Martinez (28), Senesi (26)
LB: Tagliafico (33), Soler (21)

RM: De Paul (32), Palacios (27)
DM: Enzo (25), Varela (25)
CM: MacAllister (27), E.Fernandez (24)

RW: Messi (39), Dybala (32)
FW: Martinez (28), Alvarez (26)
LW: Nico Gonzales (28), Garnacho (22)

In 1982 the team was a mix of the 78 squad and some pibes. But it didn't meld as it should have done. The kids coming through and I cannot stress it enough need to be integrated now. Even the likes of Senesi is a kid in terms of international experience.

Of course we need to win 2026 that should always be the aim of any seleccion. But 2030 may end up being a stronger squad given what is coming through sub 20. Who knows if the likes of Anselmino, Mastantuono, Paz, Perrone, Soule, Maffeo etc play to a very high level over the next two seasons they could force themselves into 26 contention. But they would form the basis of a very strong 30 squad with the likes of Romero, Enzo, Mac & Julian providing an experienced core.

We will need to find the next up and coming young Argentine keepers as well. The current bunch one of the best in years will be too old for me in 2030. Although having said that you have had instances where keepers like Zoff & Shilton have played very well nearing forty at World Cups.

 

Seems like Lautaro could start

I dont think the universe would allow them to play together.

Between them there's 2 WC titles, 2 WC runner up finish, 2 Copa America, 2 Finalissima, 2 WC u20 and an Olympic gold. Overall, Argentina played 14 finals (counting youth and senior tournaments) between the two of them. If Maradona didnt miss out Copa 1991 & 1993 (which Argentina won), imagine how many silverware between just two of them.

 

Newest Opta ranking puts MLS 9th best league in the world.

 

According to ESPN Argentina, Scaloni is considering starting Messi, Julian and Lautaro together vs Bolivia. If that is the case, then I could see something like

-----------------Lautaro-------Messi
Alvarez-------Lo Celso------Enzo-------RDP
Tagliafico-----Balerdi------Romero------Molina
--------------------------Rulli

 

I would only change Enzo for Palacio. . . or Parades, or Nico Paz, or Buonanotte, . . . or a nice laser jet printer with unexpired warranty. Even a hole in the middle of the pitch. I would take hole in the middle of the pitch over Enzo, because the hole would do a better job and wouldn't disappear during the game.

Can we get Scaloni? not to manage the game, but to play instead of Enzo

 

Lo Celso - Paredes - De Paul.

Back to the roots.

 

That would be great if we were in 2019-2020. Lo Celso is playing well for Betis. Is he a starter though? Paredes is not a starter at this stage of his career and De Paul is top notch at providing passes to the opposing team.

We need to revamp the midfield. Only player that just be a guaranteed starter, as I have said before is Mac.

If we are going to be serious contenders for 2026, we need to change the midfield. It never works when a defending champion comes back to the World Cup with pretty much the same squad.

 

Likes of CMs of Equi, Varela and Perrone would be great.

What an absolute waste from Equi. Still boggles my mind with his decision to go to Saudi

 

Just because it worked in Copa final, doesnt mean it will work in tournament that's still almost 2 away. We'll face European teams that has lots of new players (Spain for example), Italy is getting better aswell. Teams like Germany and France are always complicated to beat at KO stage.

I fear that relying in too many same core of players could cost us like Spain in 2014. Remember they also won Euro a year earlier, winning 4-0 in final but in next two years they're getting thrashed by Brazil, Netherlands and even Chile. They brought same core players like Xabi, Iniesta, Ramos, Casillas, Alba, David Silva, Fabregas, Xavi, Villa, Pedro , Pique and looked what happened.