Last updated on August 31st, 2023 at 02:11 pm
Argentina is going into the FIFA World Cup with a 35-match unbeaten record. One of the most threatening forces in world football at the moment, the Lionel Messi-led team has not been defeated since April 2019. Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez are ranked third and there are high expectations for them to deliver.
Although Messi is the focus of the team, Argentina has managed to quietly assemble an impressive unit that is known for its fighting mentality.
“Angel Di Maria is my most important player after Messi,” said coach Lionel Scaloni, speaking ahead of the global tournament. A livewire on the edge of the pitch, Di Maria no longer starts for Argentina due to injury issues and age. In the Copa America final in 2021, the 34-year-old was the sole goalscorer, winning Lionel Messi his first international accolade with the senior Argentine team.
In the last few years, Argentina has devised a clever way to keep other teams occupied with Lionel Messi and hit them back with quick counters. They won the 2021 Copa America by using the same tactic; they defended bravely against Brazil and quickly countered their attacks.
