Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez score for Argentina in 2-0 win vs. Angola

1. Sabya you are 100% right
   Here in this site there are some members if theirs personal choice is not fulfilled they can blame anyone in world cup.
   How can anybody say they are going for enjoyment, specially lionel messi, otamendi, Parades etc.

   • * world cup = world

     • Yeah I mean, people may have their own preferences but I would never say that this lot does not have the drive to win anything more

       • I actually agree with you both but on the same token I also disagree with you both. You’re both making valid points but the delivery is what’s causing you both to disagree.

         Dadir10 listed a few players he doesn’t think will probably have the motivation and hunger to push maybe that little extra when fatigued and facing an uphill battle against a difficult opponent. This could cause them to partly accept defeat given they have already won everything. Not everyone is Messi, Mbappé or Pele (God rest his soul in peace) who have/had massive hunger/drive to keep winning and aiming to win big.
         Even so, Dadir10, we can’t really say the players you listed lack desire and only want to enjoy the World Cup. They desire to win again and be back-to-back champions, which hasn’t been achieved in such a long time, just as they did with the Copa America. I’m sure they would love to contribute to and be part of such a great achievement.

         Sabya, my points above agree with your points. Although, I don’t think it has anything to do with wanting favourite players in the team. It’s more about some of the guys really should’ve maybe gave just retired from the NT already, like Di Maria did, as their past achievements could possibly hold the team back if they are selected based on past performances. But I love Lionel Scaloni and I trust in what he is doing by keeping them around if they still wish to be around. The entire squad has a special chemistry and I love that he doesn’t just integrate anyone. They offer experience and guidance to the younger/newer/less experienced guys and I believe he won’t start Ota, Paredes, Acuna, etc unless absolutely necessary due to injuries or suspensions.
         However, taking a swipe at Dadir10’s profile pic of Fernando Redondo is not cool. I respect Redondo for not backing down to Daniel Passarella. Why should anyone change their image just to play the game they love? Passarella unnecessarily distracted the entire NT for his own personal agenda. If he coached the NT when Messi had long hair Messi would have told him where to go and the AFA would have sacked Pasarella. Imagine Brazil telling Ronaldinho to cut his hair short in 2002 or telling Ronaldo to shave off his hair patch during the 2002 WC. They would have failed. So too Spain if Puyol was told to cut his hair in 2010. He’s also not talking about style and technique, because unfortunately some players just had the wrong coaches/managers at the wrong time. Riquelme, Veron and Aimar would’ve been phenomenal and World Champions if Scaloni was in charge during their time. Pato’s injury in 2006 and not subbing in Messi v Germany was a big mistake that cost us the WC. Bielsa not taking Riquelme to the 2002 WC was a mistake and Maradona and everything about his team selection for the 2010 WC was a disaster.
         You guys both have good and valid points, but you’re just not delivering them properly and fairly.
         Just my personal opinion.
         We all love our NT and just want great, and even greater, success for them. I believe we can win 2026 again and I like that a lot of people are already writing us off, but let’s all be positive and unified as a group just like what Scaloni has built.
         God bless 🙏🏼

2. The current Argentina team can be divided into three groups:

   Players who have already won everything with Argentina and no longer have the desire for more trophies. They want to go to the World Cup mainly to enjoy themselves. Messi, De Paul, Acuna, Montiel, Paredes, and Otamendi belong to this group.

   Players who have won everything with Argentina but remain hungry for more trophies and take their nation’s representation at the World Cup very seriously. Alvarez, Mac Allister, Cuti, Dibu, Licha, Enzo, Lautaro, and Tagliafico are in this group.

   Players who had fewer minutes in previous tournaments or are preparing to play their first tournament wearing the Argentina jersey. Foyth, Rulli, Nico González, Almada, Simeone, Barco, López, Nico Paz, Senesi, and Balerdi are in this group.

   The first group is a huge liability, except for Messi. The second group forms the core of the team and could make or break Argentina’s chances. Finally, the third group might provide the surprise factor.

   • I am sorry but this is a very very irresponsible and insulting comment for some people who have won everything with the national team. Did these guys whisper in your ears that they dont have the hunger and going to the US just for fun? People like Otamendi could have easily retired after the wc or 24 copa and gone to saudi and earned a lot and he would still have had a stellar career overall. But he kept fighting for his place, appearing fit during every national camp, showing immense desire to be there. Same with paredes, whenevr he plays for Argentina, he is quite brilliant, he is a fighter. Acuna is still by far the best lb back up in Argentina if he is fit because the other options are pathetic. I cannot imagine any match where Acuna or Montiel looked casual or not motivated. Just because you dont have your favrt players in the squad, you cannot come up with these ridiculous arguments. I know these players are not stylish in their approach but one can argue what has the NT achieved with these so called technical players like veron, riquelme, aimar etc? Absolutely nothing. I am not against giving new players a chance but to show how cool your new favrt is, there is no need to pull down the players who have given their all to the NT.

     • “Did these guys whisper in your ears that they dont have the hunger and going to the US just for fun?”

       No need to whisper in my ears. I am not someone who supports certain players blindly. I watch football, enjoy it, and savor it—unlike many supporters, maybe including you—who cling to certain players no matter whether they perform well or badly. When it comes to player selection, there is no sanctity in my dictionary. Players should be selected on merit.

       The basis of your whole argument is: how could you talk about someone who won everything with the national team? If the players (first group) I mentioned in my previous post were retired, I would have showered them with praise. But they are still active, occupying space in the national team, and they are not performing well. Should I remain silent and never bring my opinion to the table, even though it won’t change Scaloni’s mind? No!

       Man, watch the game with your eyes wide open!

       • I watch every game with my eyes open.. but its not about which players are selected, its about your statement on their motivation and hunger. I am not against criticism, but saying that these players have lost hunger and are not giving their best is as foolish a statement as have ever been made in this forum.

       • Remember we are talking about a national team whose superstar sacrificed his NT career to keep his haircut intact. We are talking about a history where idiots like Tevez said coming to play for argentina took your prestige away. For a team who has seen superstars behave this way inspite of having basically zero success with the NT, calling the current successful bunch not motivated and hungry is a bit rich

         • Sabya, if you are defending De Paul, who left professional football at the age of 31 to play in the USA’s retirement league, and Paredes and Montiel, who returned to Argentina’s weak Primera División after failing to continue in Europe, then you are in an uphill battle. Good luck!

3. Thiago Almada is a crucial player for the National Team, following Messi, Cuti, and Dibu in importance. His talent is truly remarkable.

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