The Road to Success: Argentina's Copa America 2024 Squad Chosen by Lionel Scaloni

In essence, Argentina could have been excused for decelerating for a grace period after their triumphant 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. Instead, in 2023, La Albiceleste won nine of their ten games, including an incredible away triumph against Brazil in World Cup qualification. They now seem much more committed to winning another title.

Since Lionel Scaloni's tenure as Argentina's manager beyond the Copa America remains unclear, he could be trying to wrap things off well by managing his team's defence of the title they won in 2021 and achieving a third straight tournament triumph.

In the interim, Lionel Messi will undoubtedly lead again in his last Copa America. Most of the guys who helped him ultimately cross the finish line on the international scene will also be in Qatar with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Three players must be eliminated before early June after La Albiceleste revealed a preliminary team 29 on May 20. Who, however, was included, and who was not?

FULL ARGENTINA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Lucas Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso

Forwards: Angel Di Maria, Valentin Carboni, Lionel Messi, Angel Correa, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez

EXPECTED XI

Scaloni wants to run it back for what may be his last tournament. Hence, Argentina's team won't be much different from the one that enjoyed success in Qatar.

Eight positions seem set, at least for the first few games of the competition, with Molina of Atletico Madrid probably starting at right-back. The one area of doubt is on the left, where Scaloni must choose who will play left-back and on the flank with Messi and Alvarez.

Argentina XI (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Acuna; Mac Allister, De Paul, Fernandez; Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria.

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

Thiago Almada and Paulo Dybala, who were on the 2022 World Cup winning squad, are absent. The latter may not have made the team this time since he has battled ailments throughout the Roma season.

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