2014 FIFA World cup runners up, Argentina has released their 2018 FIFA world cup squad with a few surprises. Five-time World best footballer of the year, Lionel Messi leads 23 man 2018 Argentina World Cup Squad. We will be looking at the other players who made the Argentina World cup squad and those who missed out on the list.
As we are getting closer to the kick off of the 2018 FIFA World cup in Russia many countries are bring forward the list of players that will represent them in Russia. Argentina who finished as runner-up in the last FIFA world cup yesterday released their squad with a few talking points noted.
Messi who is still to win the world cup despite his blazing career will be leading other 22 players to Russia 2018 hoping to go one step better this time around.
The Argentine head coach Jorge Sampaoli released the 23 man Argentina World Cup Squad with only 8 of those who took part in the last edition making the list.
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The major absentee on Argentina’s 23 man 2018 FIFA World cup squad is Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi. Icardi who finished last season as Seria A joint top scorer with 29 goals was omitted for the list with Juventus pair, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala being preferred ahead of him.
Argentina is in World Cup group D alongside Super Eagles of Nigeria their perennial opponents as well as Croatia and Iceland. To better their 2018 World cup record, all the players in Argentina World cup squad will need to give their best to progress through a daisy group.
Argentina 23 man 2018 FIFA World cup squad
23 Man Argentina World Cup squad is split as follows:
Goalkeepers:
- Sergio Romero (Manchester United)
- Willy Caballero (Chelsea)
- Franco Armani (River Plate)
Defenders:
- Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla)
- Cristian Ansaldi (Torino)
- Nicolas Otamendi (Man City)
- Federico Fazio (Roma)
- Marcos Rojo (Man United)
- Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax)
- Marcos Acuna (Sporting)
- Eduardo Salvio (Benfica)
Midfielders:
- Javier Mascherano (Hebei)
- Lucas Biglia (Milan)
- Ever Banega (Sevilla)
- Giovani Lo Celso (PSG)
- Manuel Lanzini (West Ham)
- Angel Di Maria (PSG)
- Maxi Meza (Independiente)
Forwards:
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
- Sergio Aguero (Man City)
- Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus)
- Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors)
Speaking at a press conference after unveiling the list, Sampaoli defended his list stating that a lot of factors including how he intends to line up at the Mundial was put into consideration in choosing the list.
He said, “We came to these names after a lot of analysis in each position.
“I tried to be as fair as possible in relation to the game I wanted. There are young players with a lot of potentials. It will be important to move experienced players.”
What do you make of this Argentina’s 23 man 2018 FIFA World cup squad? Do you think that the 2018 Argentina World squad can go all the way this time?