Predicting Argentina’s Copa America 2024 Starting Lineup

Argentina and Lionel Messi will be under the spotlight this summer as they aim to repeat as Copa America champions. Since the legendary Messi guided his country to his first-ever international title over Brazil in Copa America 2021, Argentina will hope to make it three straight trophies. The 2022 World Cup winners will kick things off on June 20 against Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, looking to start off on the right foot in Group A. La Albiceleste will be led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, who typically sticks to his 4-3-3 system that helped him defeat Didier Deschamps’ France in the World Cup final roughly 18 months ago. Although Lionel Scaloni has some familiar faces, he has dropped some of the big names from his squad. The likes of Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, and Mauro Icardi will not take part in the upcoming Copa America. Instead, Cristian Romero and Alexis Mac Allister will likely be among the first names on the team sheet. But who else will join them in the starting XI come late June? Emiliano Martinez, the Aston Villa shot-stopper, will be crucial to Argentina's chances of successfully defending their title. Fresh off a second season with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, Nahuel Molina holds down the right-back position. Cristian Romero, one of the most effective defenders in Serie A, anchors the backline and will have a part to play in Argentina going back-to-back. Should he recover from his calf injury in time, Lisandro Martinez could partner with Romero in the heart of defense. Nicolas Tagliafico, perhaps one of the more underrated players in the Argentina camp, will get the nod at left-back. Messi’s “bodyguard,” Rodrigo De Paul, commands the midfield and will hope to shine in the same way he did out in Qatar in November & December of 2022. With excellent delivery and on-the-ball quality, Liverpool figure Alexis Mac Allister will be required to unlock low block defenses that could be deployed by opposing sides to slow down La Albiceleste. Enzo Fernandez is still a valuable piece in the middle of the field despite his struggles at Chelsea. Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, will have his sights set on a third international trophy with his country as he lines up on the right-wing. With Lautaro Martinez missing so many big chances at the 2022 World Cup, Manchester City figure Julian Alvarez starts up front and center with his excellent link-up play. Angel Di Maria takes up shop on the opposite flank like he did in the World Cup final against France, although he typically plays on the right-wing. In the upcoming Copa America, Argentina will face Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay in Group A. Although their title defense won't be easy, Messi and company certainly have what it takes to come out on top