Guido Rodríguez has been proposed to Juventus in recent days, with the initiative coming from people close to the player. According to Italian journalists Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, the midfielder is fully open to the move and is now waiting to understand whether Juventus intend to proceed.
Rodríguez would represent a low-cost option for Juventus if the club decide to reinforce their midfield without making a major financial investment. As explained by the journalists, Juventus are currently assessing whether to move for a budget-friendly profile like Rodríguez or to pursue a more high-profile signing in that position.
From West Ham United’s perspective, Rodríguez is considered a player who could leave during the January window. The English club are working on reshaping the squad and several players are expected to move on.
At this stage, the situation is entirely in Juventus’ hands. The club will take its time to evaluate its midfield options before making a final decision in the coming days.
Valentín Carboni is expected to leave Inter once again after his loan spell at Genoa, where he struggled to secure regular playing time. According to Italian journalists Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, this scenario had already been anticipated earlier in the season.
Carboni will return to Inter following the interruption of his loan, but not with the intention of remaining in the squad. The plan, as explained by the journalists, is for the Argentine midfielder to be sent out on a new loan in order to gain minutes and continuity during the second half of the campaign.
A return to Argentina is becoming an increasingly concrete possibility. Racing Club have opened talks to sign Carboni on loan and see him as a potential reinforcement for the remainder of the season. Contacts between the parties are ongoing, and Racing are pushing to bring him back to Argentine football.
There is also interest from Italian clubs, including Cagliari, but the overall feeling around the player suggests a preference for returning to Argentina at this stage of his career. The coming days are expected to be decisive in determining whether the move to Racing can be finalized.
Valentín Castellanos is a player to closely monitor during the January transfer window, with growing interest from West Ham United. According to Italian journalists Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, contacts have already taken place between the English club and the player.
Castellanos is open to the possibility of a transfer and is expected to seriously evaluate the option in the coming hours. The Argentine forward would be pleased with a move to London and sees the Premier League as an attractive next step in his career.
At the moment, the Flamengo option is not appealing to the player. While the Brazilian club has shown interest, Castellanos has not shown willingness to return to South American football and remains focused on continuing his career in Europe.
The situation is still developing, and Lazio’s stance will be key in determining whether the deal can progress, with reports suggesting a potential fee around 30 million euros.
The Argentina national team are preparing for a demanding 2026, with the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada as the main objective of the year. The World Cup will not be the only major competition on Argentina’s schedule, as the team will also contest the Finalissima and take part in several FIFA international windows.
Argentina’s first official match of 2026 will be the Finalissima against the Spain national team on Friday, March 27. The match will be played at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Argentina and Spain earned their places in this one-off final as the reigning champions of the Copa América and the UEFA European Championship respectively. No additional friendly has been confirmed for this international window, and given the importance of the match, it is unlikely that another game will be scheduled.
In the first week of June, Argentina will have a FIFA window prior to the World Cup. These matches are traditionally used as farewell games before the tournament. At the moment, the opponents and venues have not been confirmed, and it remains unclear whether the matches will be played on Argentine soil.
The World Cup will begin in mid-June, marking the most important competition of the year for Argentina. The Albiceleste were drawn into Group J and will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in the group stage. Argentina will open the tournament against Algeria in Kansas City, then play Austria in Dallas, and close the group against Jordan at the same venue.
If Argentina finish first in Group J, they will face the second-placed team from Group H, which includes Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde, in the Round of 16 in Miami. Finishing second would mean a matchup against the group winner, while advancing as one of the best third-placed teams would depend on FIFA’s tie-breaking criteria such as points and goal difference.
Argentina will defend the title they won at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The final of the 2026 tournament is scheduled to be played on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in the New York–New Jersey area.
Once the World Cup concludes, Argentina are expected to reunite at the end of September for another FIFA window, which could include up to four friendly matches. However, the most likely scenario is that only two games will be played.
The final FIFA window of 2026 will take place between November 9 and 17 and will also feature two friendly matches. As of now, dates, venues, and opponents for these games have not yet been confirmed.
Confirmed Argentina national team schedule in 2026:
Argentina vs. Spain | Finalissima | March 27 | Lusail Stadium Argentina vs. Algeria | World Cup group stage | June 16 | Kansas City Stadium Argentina vs. Austria | World Cup group stage | June 22 | Dallas Stadium Argentina vs. Jordan | World Cup group stage | June 27 | Dallas Stadium
Based on their performances throughout 2025 at both club and international level, Roy Nemer and Osvaldo Godoy of Mundo Albiceleste selected an Argentina National Team Best XI that reflects form, consistency, and impact rather than reputation alone. The team is set up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation and includes a mix of established leaders and players who stood out over the calendar year.
In goal, the choice is Agustín Rossi, whose season with Flamengo was one of the strongest among Argentine goalkeepers. Rossi played a key role in Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores triumph and delivered several decisive performances in high-stakes matches. While Emiliano Martínez remains the undisputed starter for Argentina, Rossi’s 2025 form at club level earned him this selection.
The back line begins on the left with Nicolás Tagliafico, who continued to provide reliability and consistency with Lyon and the national team. His tactical discipline and experience made him the clear choice at left back. At center back, Leonardo Balerdi was selected after a strong year as captain of Marseille, where he established himself as a defensive leader while also earning more minutes with Argentina during periods of rotation and injuries. Alongside him is Cristian Romero, whose level remained elite throughout 2025. Romero continued to perform at a high standard for Tottenham and Argentina, reinforcing his status as one of the country’s most dependable defenders.
At right back, the selection is Agustín Giay, who impressed with Palmeiras in Brazil. Despite strong competition historically at the position, Giay stood out due to the inconsistent seasons of other options. His regular involvement in key matches and steady performances earned him a place in the XI.
The midfield reflects the depth Argentina enjoyed in 2025. Sitting deeper is Alexis Mac Allister, who enjoyed another successful year with Liverpool, winning the Premier League and maintaining his importance under Lionel Scaloni. His balance, passing, and positional intelligence made him the most consistent option in that role. To his right is Enzo Fernández, arguably the most in-form Argentine midfielder of the year. Fernández was a central figure for Chelsea, wore the captain’s armband on several occasions, and delivered strong performances with Argentina, confirming his status as a midfield cornerstone.
On the opposite side, Valentín Barco was chosen for his evolution into a midfield role. Barco had a standout year with Strasbourg, contributing assists, creativity, and versatility, and becoming one of the most influential players in his team’s rise in Ligue 1. Operating ahead of the midfield line is Nico Paz, who continued to grow in importance at club level and added goals to his game. His intelligence in the final third and increasing involvement with the national team made him one of the most promising Argentine players of 2025.
Up front, no Argentine Best XI would be complete without Lionel Messi. Messi continued to make a decisive impact with Inter Miami, contributing goals, assists, and leadership, while also remaining influential with Argentina. Even in a different league environment, his level throughout the year justified his inclusion once again.
Partnering him is Julián Álvarez, who enjoyed a productive season with Atlético Madrid. Álvarez’s versatility, work rate, and ability to score and assist in different contexts gave him the edge over other attacking options. His performances for Argentina, including in high-profile matches, reinforced his standing as one of the country’s most complete forwards.
Several notable names narrowly missed out on the XI, highlighting Argentina’s depth in 2025. Players such as Lautaro Martínez, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Rodrigo De Paul, Paulo Dybala, and Franco Mastantuono all had strong moments across the year, but competition for places was intense. The selection reflects a snapshot of form rather than a projection for future tournaments.
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