With the stakes as high as they could be, Argentina's National Team will try to prove they have a real shot at the title this summer.
The team led by Lionel Messi may not be as highly rated to win the World Cup as they have been in previous years, but maybe that's where their hopes increase. Having arrived to the World Cup in a nail-biting Qualifier may have given these players the hunger they lacked in previous World Cups, and Messi's presence on the pitch surely guarantees an edge over any opponent. Let's see of "La Pulga's" supporting cast can live up to expectations and help him earn a spot among football's icons for good.
Coach's objectives
Jorge Sampaoli knows exactly what this team needs: a World Cup title. Having around the man that most consider as the best footballer in the world forces Argentina to try and win it all. La Albiceleste struggled to get to this competition, but they will surely try to better their silver medal from four years ago with a coach that's proven his worth with other South American teams.
New faces
Two names stand out in Sampaoli's call up: Franco Armani and Giovani Lo Celso. River Plate's goalkeeper barely made the cut, and his performances with Los Millonarios earned him a spot in this list. PSG's midfielder Giovani Lo Celso will also make his debut in a World Cup, following his breakthrough season with Les Parisiens.
The 22-year-old midfielder has played four games with La Albiceleste between 2017 and 2018.
Veterans
He may not be the oldest man in this squad, but he's surely the best. Lionel Messi faces quite a challenge in this summer's World Cup, as he will try to put an end to Argentina's 25-year drought in all major tournaments. With such a shaky World Cup Qualifier, and with the precedent of having resigned from the National Team, all eyes are on Messi to prove he's the best player in history. Will he deliver?
At 31, this could be the last chance for Messi to win a World Cup title.
Major absences
There will always be controversy in a World Cup list, and Argentina's is no exception. Key players that seemed to be in line for a spot in Argentina's roster were left out, such as Alejandro "Papu" Gómez (Atalanta) and Fernado Gago. Mauro Icardi's lack of chemistry with the team's leaders had him cut from the roster, which was the same for Carlos Tévez, who's unsuccessful stint in China also forced Sampaoli to snub him from his 35-man squad.
In a list that seems to have enough talent, Tévez intense style of play will be missed in Russia.
Full squad list
This is Argentina's roster for the 2018 World Cup.
Goalkeepers: Wilfredo Caballero, Franco Armani, Nahuel Guzmán.
Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Cristian Ansaldi, Nicolás Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Marcos Rojo, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña.
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Eduardo Salvio, Lucas Biglia, Giovani Lo Celso, Ever Banega, Enzo Pérez, Maximiliano Meza, Ángel Di Maria, Cristian Pavón.
Strikers: Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, Paulo Dybala.
