5 reasons to believe in Argentina during the World Cup
Alejandro Sabella gave the list of 23 men who will defend the honor of the Albiceleste in the World Cup. Theres a common feeling in…
Alejandro Sabella gave the list of 23 men who will defend the honor of the Albiceleste in the World Cup. Theres a common feeling in the country that makes everyone believe this is the year they will relive the glory they tasted for the last time in 1986, when Maradona pushed an entire country to become the world champs.
While things are not completely bright for Argentina at the moment, heres five reasons why we can still believe they have a chance to lift the trophy this year:
1. Di Maria above everyone else
Argentina’s Angel Di Maria, left, runs with the ball past Trinidad and Tobago’s Jan Michael Williams, right, during their international friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, June 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
In a team that has Messi, Aguero and Higuain upfront, Angel Di Maria may be the biggest star at the moment. He is the one player who has consistently been exceeding expectations this year, and his last month of competitive action with Real Madrid has been out of this world.
Di Maria was the MVP of the Champions League final and is clearly the leader of an Argentine squad full of doubts. However, with Angel at the top of his game, Argentina can dream of big things this summer.
2. Enzo Perez and the memory of Hector Enrique
Sabella left Banega out of the list and included Benficas midfielder, Enzo Perez. Many have noticed the resemblance of his call up, after having played only 15 minutes during the qualifier, with that of Enrique in 1986, which was also very last-minute, and who became a key pillar in a very hard-working team.
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Banega was one of the favorites of Sabella, mostly because he is part of the Rosario Clan that Messi likes to have around him in the national team, but his disappointing season with Newells and his issues off the field have made Perez a shoe-in for the role in the middle.
3. The best version of Mascherano yet
Argentina players Angel Di Maria, left, Ezequiel Lavezzi, center, celebrate Javier Mascherano’s goal, right, against Trinidad and Tobago during an international friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, June 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Javier Mascherano impressed throughout his career since he left River. Whether it was at Corinthians, West Ham or Liverpool, el jefecito became the perfect boss in the middle. His years next to Xabi Alonso at Anfield Road are still remembered fondly by The Kop, but with his signing by Barcelona something changed.
Guardiola saw in him a great center back, or at least a more fit defender than midfielder given Barças high-possession style. But as the team started to fall apart and stopped pressuring upfront, Mascheranos job at the back got tougher. His lack of speed became apparent as opposing attackers looked for the space behind him as the safest way to get to Valdes (or Pintos) goal.
Now, Sabella will surely place him in the middle, where he belongs, and where he can make a difference again.
With Gago still recovering and Banega out, Mascherano will need to step it up in the middle, but we will definitely see the best version of his game to date in Brazil.
4. Higuains hunger
Gonzalo Higuain is a man born to take on big challenges. He joined Real Madrid at 18 years of age, having played 12 games in Argentinas First Division, and he immediately made an impact.
He battled uphill during his 5 years in Madrid, and became a fan-favorite, but the market spoke, and he was transferred to Napoli for 40 million euros. In Italy he became a hero from day one, and hes had a wonderful season carrying the Baby-blues scoring pressure in his shoulders.
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In the World Cup hell have to prove –once again– that he is one of the best strikers in the business, and he wont want to let this chance to shine pass by.
5. Lionel Messi. Period.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, right, runs with the ball followed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Yohance Marshall, left, during their international friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, June 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
If Argentina has a chance to win the World Cup in Brazil it is pending on Messis performance. Theres been talks throughout the year about his saving up for the World Cup. Hes had his worst season to date with Barcelona, and even so hes scored over 40 goals Yes, thats a bad season for La Pulga.
If there was any truth about the fact that Messi was saving up for the tournament in Brazil, then we should be in for a great surprise. Lionel Messi ?speaking of comparisons to the 1986 team? is already seen as equal if not more crucial to Argentina than Maradona was in his time, and he hasnt even come close to shining in the last two World Cups he has participated in.
Should Messi decide to snap out of the shell hes been hiding in all season, Argentina is a clear candidate to win it all.
