Copa America 2024: Strongest possible starting XI for Argentina as Lionel Scaloni names provisional squad
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has named his provisional squad for Copa America 2024 and the next friendly games in the United States. The squad consists of 29 players and three players from the squad will not be included in the final 26-man squad for the Copas.
The Argentina squad looks promising, with a good mix of experienced and young players. Legends like Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria will lead the attacking line alongside young talents like Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister.
One important exclusion is Paolo Dybala, who was a part of the La Albiceleste squad in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Giovani Lo Celso, who was left out of the World Cup due to his injury, has been included in the Copa America squad. Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho has also made it to the squad.
Lionel Scaloni has multiple options to include in his potential starting line-up for each position. Here's the strongest lineup if we consider a 4-3-3 formation.
Argentina Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez has been key to Argentina's victory in both the FIFA World Cup and the Copa America. The goalkeeper had a good season with Aston Villa as well, leading the club to qualify for the Champions League. He had eight clean sheets this season, with 66 percent saves per game and a 4.57 goal prevention record.
Martinez is particularly good during penalty shootouts. He was key to Aston Villa qualifying for the UEFA Conference League semifinals after they won 4-3 on penalties. He also saved Argentina in the penalty shoot-out in the World Cup quarterfinals against the Netherlands and the final against France.
Martinez was also solely responsible for saving Kolo Muani's shot at extra time, leading the Albiceleste to win their third FIFA World Cup in 2022. As such, barring a mishap, he will undoubtedly start for Argentina in the Copa America 2024.
Left Back: Marcos Acuna
Marcos Acuna is the perfect choice for the left-back position. While helping in the defensive setup, he is also great at running up and down the pitch. Acuna also helps to launch counterattacks at the right time.
In the current season, Acuna had two clean sheets for the La Liga club Sevilla. He had 0.2 interceptions per game with a high 4.7 rating of ball recoveries per game.
Center-Back: Cristian Romeo
Cristian Romero is the best choice for one of the two center-backs in the starting XI for Copa America. He was one of the most influential players for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. Romero is best known for his defensive awareness and good ball distribution skills.
He is also key to the Albiceleste line-up due to his physicality as the tournament is known for being aggressive and physical in nature. Romero is also one of the tallest players in the squad, which enables him to be potent in the attack during set-piece movements.
Romero has been a top performer for Tottenham Hotspur this season, having seven clean sheets and 1.3 interceptions per game. He has an average of 5.7 ball recoveries per game with three average clearances per game.
Center-Back: Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez has been out for the majority of the season for Manchester United owing to his injuries. However, at his physical best, he is one of the biggest strengths of the Argentina squad.
Martinez is great at ball recovery and can break the attacking lineup of the opponent well. One of his key strengths is his pace. While Romero's strength is his physicality, Martinez is extremely quick with his feet, making him potent at ball recovery and passing.
While he has not been able to play for the majority of the current season, he has impressive stats to show for last season. Lisandro Martinez has eight clean sheets, an average of 3.6 clearances per game, and 1.2 interceptions per game for Manchester United last season.
Right-Back: Nahuel Molina
Nahuel Molina started six matches for Argentina as their first choice right back during the FIFA World Cup 2022. He scored once against the Netherlands and assisted another against Poland.
Molina can be useful in the Argentina lineup particularly due to his ease with set pieces. He can also combine very well with Lionel Messi on the right wing. He can launch easy long balls towards the attackers, who can run towards the corner line and pass it to forwards within the penalty box to create attacking opportunities.
In the current season with Atletico Madrid, Molina has four clean sheets, 0.4 interceptions per game, and a 4.1 ball recovery rating.
Left Midfielder: Rodrigo De Paul
Rodrigo De Paul is the perfect box-to-box midfielder to add depth to the Argentina lineup. De Paul provides the much-needed physicality to the Albiceleste midfield due to his strong stature.
De Paul is also very good at breaking the attacking lineup of the opponent and intercepting the ball from the opposition. In the current season with Atletico Madrid, De Paul scored three goals and assisted five.
He had an average passing accuracy of 94 percent in his own half and 78 percent in the opposition half. He created 11 big chances and had 1.2 key passes per game.
Central Midfielder: Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez has an insane right foot, which was proven when he scored the much-needed second goal against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage. His positional brilliance has always helped Argentina, also leading him to win the Best Young Player award in the 2022 World Cup.
Enzo is great at controlling the game from the midfield and connecting the attack and the defense. He is also key to the line-up in receiving second balls from corner kicks while standing outside the penalty box.
In the current season with Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez has scored three goals and provided as many assists. He created five big chances while maintaining a passing accuracy of 92 percent in his own half and 80 percent in the opponent's half.
As one of the most promising young players of this generation, he is a clear choice to be in Lionel Scaloni's strongest starting lineup for the Copa America.
Right Midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister is a versatile midfielder, generally considered a whole player who can fill in crucial gaps in the attack. He is exceptional with the ball and can weave through tight spaces in the midfield.
He can combine well with Lionel Messi in the attack. In a scenario where Leo drops down in the center half to help with small progression, Mac Allister can fill up his gap in the attack and receive the ball from Messi.
In his current season with Liverpool, Mac Allister scored five goals and assisted five more. He had 1.4 key passes per game with a 93 percent passing accuracy in his own half and 83 percent in the opponent's half. He was one of the breakthrough players of the FIFA World Cup, making him an immediate addition to the Copa America starting lineup.
Left winger: Alejandro Garnacho
Argentina has always benefitted from bringing in young talent in their lineup, be it Enzo Fernandez in the midfield or Julian Alvarez in the attack. Alejandro Garnacho is set to be one such key player in the upcoming Copa America, having been one of the most promising players for Manchester United this season.
Garnacho is best known for his exceptional ball control and pace, which is much needed in the Albiceleste attacking lineup. He is also crucial during counterattacks in the latter half as he can receive balls from the defense and the midfield accurately. His pace also makes him perfect for running across the length of the pitch.
Garnacho scored seven goals and provided four assists in his current season with Manchester United. He had 2.8 shots per game with an xG score of 8.39. He was also featured in the Premier League Team of the Week three times.
Argentine legend Angel Di Maria would be the best substitute for Garnacho in the lineup, bringing his experience to the table.
Center forward: Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez is one of the best attackers in Europe currently. He is one of Pep Guardiola's most trusted players at Manchester City and has always worked more like a super substitute for Erling Haaland in the team.
Alvarez is not a quintessential No. 9 or striker but is a versatile player who helps the entire lineup. He scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions for Manchester City this season.
He was one of the best players for the Albiceleste in the 2022 World Cup with four crucial goals to his credit, making him the best choice for the center-forward position in the Copa America starting lineup. Lautaro Martinez could be a perfect substitute for Alvarez in the lineup.
Right Winger: Lionel Messi
Although Lionel Messi starts as a right winger on paper, he is one of the most versatile players of the generation. He contributes equally to the midfield and the attack, notwithstanding the defensive lineup.
Lionel Messi led his country to victory in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Many speculate that the 2024 Copas could be the legend's final international tournament with the Albiceleste
In the current season with Inter Miami, Leo Messi has scored 12 goals and 11 assists in 13 appearances. He is also Argentina's all-time leading goal scorer with 106 international goals to his credit.
Other members of the squad
Goalkeepers: Geronimo Rulli and Franco Armani.
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, German Pezzella, Lucas M Quarta, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Valentin Barco.
Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, and Giovani Lo Celso.
Attackers: Angel Di Maria, Valentin Carboni, Angel Correa, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Lautaro Martinez.