Lionel Messi will lead Argentina into the FIFA World Cup 2022, as La Albiceleste attempt to win the trophy in the legendary player’s last-ever tournament.
It is believed Messi will retire from the national team following the World Cup 2022, meaning this will likely be his final opportunity to win the trophy. Argentina last won the World Cup in 1986, as Diego Maradona led the team to glory.
🇦🇷 @Argentina have arrived!#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CtYTSe7RXk— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 17, 2022
🇦🇷 @Argentina have arrived!#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CtYTSe7RXk
Messi will attempt to take La Albiceleste on a journey to the tournament’s trophy. Argentina will begin their World Cup campaign three days before the two-year anniversary of Maradona’s death.
Argentina are currently the bookmakers’ second-favourite to win the World Cup. The team’s odds have shortened over the last month, taking them from fourth-favourite to second behind archrival Brazil.
Manager Lionel Scaloni has transformed Argentina into a strong side with a squad full of match-winners. For the first time since 2014, Messi has a strong cast of supporting players around him.
Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez can score goals, while Alexis Mac Allister is proving to be a strong central midfielder. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez is a capable shot-stopper and has a big personality.
Scaloni has a deep roster of veterans such as Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, and Paulo Dybala. The Argentina squad is exciting and can certainly win the World Cup trophy.
The quality of the team means Messi doesn’t have to do everything for La Albiceleste to win. In 2018, Argentina struggled when Messi couldn’t deliver. Even if he could, the rest of the squad couldn’t provide the backup he needed.
Argentina reached the final in 2014, where they narrowly lost to Germany in extra-time of the final 1-0. It felt like it would be the closest Messi would come to a major international trophy. However, in 2021, Argentina finally won the Copa America, defeating Brazil 1-0 thanks to a goal from Di Maria in the final.
La Albiceleste should have no problem getting through Group C and into the round of 16. The group features Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia, three teams Argentina should have no trouble defeating.
Argentina will face off with the runner-up of Group D in the last 16 if they win their group. They could face France, Denmark, Australia, or Tunisia.
A match against the Netherlands could happen in the quarterfinals to set up a semifinal versus Brazil. The bracket is set up for Argentina to play France, England, Belgium, or Portugal in the final.
Of course, the top teams in each group need to win for this scenario to occur. Argentina are good enough to win the tournament and Messi can finally lift the World Cup trophy.
If Messi does lead Argentina to the promised land and World Cup glory, he will finally put to bed the debate over whether he or Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest of the modern area.