Valentín Barco has drawn interest from Bayern Munich, according to Argentine journalist Augusto César. The Argentine midfielder is currently playing for Racing Strasbourg and has been one of the team’s key contributors this season.
Barco played a central role on Sunday in Strasbourg’s 2-1 win over Metz in the regional derby. His performance in the match stood out and reinforced his current form in Ligue 1.
So far this season, the former Boca Juniors man leads all Argentine players in assists across Europe’s five major leagues, with a total of eight. The number places him as the most productive Argentine creator in those competitions during the current campaign.
In recent weeks, Barco has been used mainly as a central midfielder. The role has increased his involvement in ball circulation and build-up play, while he has continued to contribute with assists in the final third.
With only a few months remaining before the World Cup, one of the main questions will be whether Lionel Scaloni decides to include Barco in the 26-man squad for the Argentina national team.
Giuliano Simeone (La Liga) 19 games/ 16 starts / 2 goals / 5 assists. (UCL) 6 games / 6 starts / 1 goal / 1 assist. Why is he an automatic selection/starter? These are not good stats for an attacking player. Guiliano is just all hustle and bustle going forward. Against Puerto Rico he didn’t dribble past or get behind a single defender. Messi was even visibly getting annoyed with him on the pitch so he was eventually substituted. His hustle and bustle style wasn’t effective against PR so imagine against better teams. Giuliano Simeone is getting a lot of playing time at AM (for the obvious reasons) but his output is underwhelming at best. I get that he scored a goal against Brazil but I just don’t see a player of his profile making a mark at the World Cup. His selection will come down to Messi having the final say behind closed doors.
Barco is the best midfield in france league
He is ten times better than lo celso and he should take his palce for the nt
Barco’s ability to play both LB and CM gives Scaloni a huge relief in team selection as Acuña wont get considered even as backup LB. With De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso, and Palacios all dealing with never ending fitness issues or decline, Barco’s consistency is good news for stability and balance. Molina, Montiel, De Paul, Lo Celso, Palacios, and Paredes have all declined. I would try Foyth at RB and G. Simeone as RWB in the Finalisima. Junior Simeone is a work horse and fits perfectly in Scaloni’s approach. With Julian’s ongoing extended annual drought, Lautaro should be our starting striker.
Lautaro – Messi
Barco – Mac Allister – Enzo – Giuliano
Tagliafico – Licha – Cuti – Foyth
Emi
that’s a solid line up SulaV but personally I would never leave Almada out because IMO he’s been the best Argentine player (for the NT atleast) throughout 2025, hence my lineup would be a bit different from yours:
Almada – Lautaro/Julian – Messi
Barco – Mac Allister – Enzo
Tagliafico – Licha – Cuti – Foyth
Emi
I wouldn’t mind Foyth as a RB when facing an adversary like Spain but normally I would prefer a more natural RB like Molina (despite his abject form). I would also like to see Soule tried in Messi’s place and a DMF like Perrone tried in the midfield but that’s never gonna happen so it’s barely worth mentioning.
Mamoun, I am still hoping Soule makes it and is not in the “never gonna happen” category. But I noticed he didnt play this weekend….any reasons why?
Rotation OleksiiB, Soule is Roma’s most important player so Gassperini is rotating him to keep him fit and he sees Dybala as a decent substitute.
Oh, that’s good then!
2 defensive minded full backs who cant help the attack with overlaps and two anti goalscorers on the wings? Barco doesnt seem to know how to shoot the ball at all, zero shooting technique, finishing or goalscoring threat, Simeone at least tries but still a horrible finisher wo good/average shooting. Messi works much better with all the way running Alvarez than with the more static Lautaro. Not really interested in what he is doing in Simeone outdated terrorball. He would be an instant 30+ goals striker in Barcelona with great playmaking we all know where a bang average Ferran Torres scores goals for fun. Scaloneta biggest strength is midfield so have to play with as much midfielders as possible at the same time where everyone can pass the ball, dictate the tempo with high football IQ as vs Croatia 3:0, vs Brazil 4:1 and so on. Barco is still not a classic zentral midfielder for me, composure is not good enough. Giuliano the exact opposite, wont start. Almada a must. Wo healthy Messi we have to play with 5 midfielders as vs Brazil (Paredes, De Paul, Macca, Enzo, Almada) and full backs have to give the width (so no room to makeshift side backs as Foyth).
Foyth as makeshift RB is a big No for me.