Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup … [+] 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Ecuador at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on September 07, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
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International football is back this month, with Lionel Messi and Argentina taking on Uruguay and Brazil in two momentous fixtures. The provisional squad has just been announced and captain Lionel Messi’s name is in the hat with a host of young players’ names.
Argentina is the World Cup and Copa America champion, as well as leader of FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification in South America. It’s fair to say that absolutely everything has gone the way of Messi and company in the last few years, but now they have to go again, and in the last international break in particular performances weren’t so convincing.
Regardless of the position Argentina is in, and the success it has enjoyed, fixtures against Uruguay and Brazil are derby games. They are the most important games of the year for players and fans alike, and defeats are not acceptable. The pressure will soon mount on the squad if last year’s slow performances are followed up by poor results against key rivals.
There is plenty of reason for hope and some players, like those in the provisional Argentina squad for these fixtures, can make a difference. They will be dreaming of making an impact in such high-profile encounters and have shown at club level that they have the quality to do so.
Nico Paz of Como celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the Serie A match … [+] between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on January 25, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
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Italy and the Serie A is home to some fine young Argentinian players at the moment. In the list of names for March are Nicolás Paz from Como and Santiago Castro from Bologna. More senior figures like Paulo Dybala of Roma and Nicolás González of Juventus are also included.
‘Nico’ Paz of Como has been particularly impressive as of late. A dynamic attacking midfielder who can run, dribble, score and assist is perhaps the most exciting youngster in the pack. At just 20 years of age, Nico Paz has the world at his feet. Already a full international, you can see him slotting into the national team number 10 role in years to come.
Lionel Messi of Argentina greets teammate Nico Paz after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 South … [+] American Qualifier match between Argentina and Bolivia at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on October 15, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
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An even younger talent who has finally made his long awaited move to Manchester City is Claudio Echeverri, previously of River Plate. He might not make the final squad but it is only a matter of time before this starlet makes his mark. Also operating in an attacking midfield role, Echeverri was scouted for stardom since he impressed as a boy. Of late he has thrived for Argentina as captain of youth international teams and broken into the River Plate first team ahead of a big European move.
Quite a few Argentinian internationals are currently playing at Atlético de Madrid — World Cup winner Julián Álvarez and 22 year-old Giuliano Simeone play for.
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid (R) celebrates his goal with teammate Giuliano Simeone during … [+] the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Atletico de Madrid and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on January 21, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
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Simeone, son of the Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone, also known as ‘El Cholo,’ has excelled for the side this season, as ‘Los Colchoneros’ fight for both the La Liga and Champions League titles against rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Giuliano Simeone can bring serious legs to his team and works tirelessly with or without the ball. He also has the quality to be efficient in attack and that’s why he has broken into his father’s team as of late.
Finally, another player in the Argentina provisional squad is a bright young talent set to star in 2025. Thiago Almada, who won the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores with Botafogo last season has now taken his talents to Lyon in France. Another influential attacker with the ability to change a game with a moment of magic, Almada will look to make an impact on a European and international level this season, after completely conquering North and South America with his previous clubs.
Argentina fans need not worry about the future; the present is as good as it has ever been and clearly there is a wave of talent waiting to blossom beyond this FIFA 2026 World Cup campaign.
Aerial view of fans of Argentina gathering at the Obelisk as they wait for the victory parade of the … [+] Argentina men’s national football team after winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on December 20, 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
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Publish date : 2025-03-03 05:44:00
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