Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

It's mad that Scaloni is still persisting with this. But don't doubt Scaloni he knows what he is doing......

 

It's not really hype though. There's a reason why he was voted Serie A midfielder of the year at 21. Why the Real circus want him back and a quick examination of his metrics shows this.

What he needs is to be given the generalship of the midfield. He's still uncertain as to where his areas are and building cohesion with Enzo.

Scaloni if he had any wisdom should have given the last qualifiers to Paz and familiarized him with the others. A few minutes here and there as with Pastore in 2010 hardly helps. And Paz is no Pastore. His mentality is completely different.

 

Why did Capaldo not get any time against Iceland? Does that mean he is for sure out?

 

Any idiot could appreciate Redondo. Takes a footballing genius to appreciate the subtle skills of Lucas Biglia.

 

Correct, in the past Argentinian coaches have been too hesitant to play young players. Not the case with Scaloni. We just don't have any youngsters who can lay claim to a spot. Barco for Macca or RDP might be the exception. But both old guy played well against Iceland. Anyhow, it's not clear cut.

 

I saw several Palacios pass attempts against Iceland that were blocked or deflected causing a minor panic attack to get the ball back. Not the area of the field to be turning it over.

Mac is 27, that's old? He's in his prime. Barco still has a lot to learn, although talented. I could support Barco as starting LM, but CM is a bit risky at this moment.

 

Yea Palacios literally made bad mistake against Iceland, although its not costly against limited side like Iceland.

I wouldnt really judge player's prime based on their age. Lots of players in modern era are still at top level in their mid 30s. Messi, Di Maria, Modric, Lewa, Zanetti etc.

Zanetti and Materazzi were 36 when Inter won treble. Milito and Samuel were like 31-32. Yet, we tend to consider 29 year old as dinosaur age. It should be based on form first and foremost.

 

Not old. But experienced versus a young up and comer who is at the moment playing better. I think if Macca doesn't pick it up against Algeria, Scaloni will yank him quickly.

 

I'm not worry about Mac. He has the experience and knows how to turn it up much like Paredes and RDP in previous tournaments. Those guys has never been the most consistent performers at club level. Mac himself didnt have great performance in qualifier prior to the WC 2022 but things just clicked during the tournament.

On other hand, I dont know what Lopez could bring into this team, I've yet to see him adding much into our attack. If Julian and Lautaro doesnt bring their A game, we could be in trouble finding the net. We've seen how Nico G, Almada and Giu continuously blew a sitters.

 

Wait you are praising Biglia while also implying you are a footballing genius

 

I like Lopez but he's a clever nine and he is very good aerially. Gives us an option if we need it when we need to bombard the area.

 

I know he only played few matches for the NT, but I've yet to see him threatening opponent defence. Hopefully I'm wrong & he wont be a Palacio 2.0.

 

He's in very good form. I think like Paz, Barco and several of the others he is a victim of Scaloni n ot using the last qualifiers and friendlies giving these players more game time to familiarize with the rest of the squad.

One thing with the squad selected is the familiarity of most of it which will be useful but it would have helped if Scaloni had adopted the policy of bringing in the newer players and giving them more minutes than they did receive.

 

The Argentina national team's message to Leonardo Balerdi on Instagram: "Leo, we are all with you". 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/oStRtOcGHc

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 16, 2026

 

Just take a look at Senesi's mischievous grin.

 

If we dont win this one, we still have an excuse.

 

Smart kid.

⚠️🇦🇷🇮🇹 NICO PAZ SEGUIRÁ EN EL COMO DESPUÉS DEL MUNDIAL.

Le comunicó al Real Madrid que PREFIERE QUEDARSE a jugar la Champions. ‼️

[@jfelixdiaz - @diarioas] pic.twitter.com/2xOoJf0NeE

— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) June 16, 2026

 

I wish more of our kids would do as he does. I expect his dad is giving him advice too. He'll be able to move to a club of his choice after the next season. Meantime he gets to play regularly and test himself against tougher opposition. Ditto Perrone.

 

Juve looking at Mastantuono. Don't like Juve at all but would be a decent move for the pibe.

 

As long he moves to another serie A side, I wouldnt mind it. Our players usually thrives there anyway (Tevez, Dybala, Higuain, Di Maria). Although I'd rather him go to Inter.

 

And many may not know Paz has insane off ball numbers. He is all action he tackles presses etc.
You could build the team around him but I get that Scaloni wants to use De Paul Enzo Mac but Paz could replace one of them he is not just a 10.

 

Pastore had potential to be best Argentine mid since Riquelme. What a waste.

 

It's often in the mind that separates the best from the rest. Leo's mentality is second to none. People said he's a weakling. Doesn't have personality and all that baloney. To come back from some crushing finals defeats to achieve what he has now takes a granite determination.

Pastore probably wanted to practice layups and three pointers. Shame. Applies to all sports and often the grafters overcome the skilled because of the mentality.

When you combine the two well you have people like Leo.

Thinking about team and a need for width and how we could accommodate Paz how about a 3-5-2 ?

Where having 3 CBs who can move the ball provides extra options from deep or in midfield ?

Something like this:
-------------------------------------------------Dibu----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Romero--------------Senesi---------------Licha----------------------------------------
---Simeone-------------------------------Enzo----------------------------------------------Barco-----------
------------------------------de Paul-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------Paz----------------------------------------------------
---------------------------Leo------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------Julian-----------------------------------------------