Short name:
ARG
Middle size name:
Argentina
It is no surprise the Argentina World Cup 2022 odds have Lionel Messi and his team-mates hovering near the head of the betting with the tournament’s heavy hitters.
What is shocking is their rather light haul of winners’ medals during the Messi era when considered alongside the trophy-laden spells the great man has enjoyed in club football.
Argentina’s captain, top-scorer and most-capped player did lead them to Copa America glory in 2021 and they beat European champions Italy in the Finalissima this year - he also has an Olympic gold medal from 2008.
They had little problems qualifying for Qatar – 11 wins and six draws in 17 games - but posted fewer victories and scored fewer goals than old rivals Brazil.
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal)
Defenders: Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Leonardo Paredes (Juventus), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis)
Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan), Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
