The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is now ready to commence, the wait for this quadrennial football tournament is finally over. The destination is exotic and unusual, and this will be the first time the event has been hosted in the Middle East, which also brought the atypical winter scheduling, given the desert climate made playing there in the summer impractical.
Brazil are widely tipped as favourites, although their main contender to lift the iconic trophy could be Argentina, who will be looking to extend an international unbeaten run stretching back to 2019. For anyone thinking about World Cup spread betting, this will undoubtedly be an exciting time, as this kind of wagering can potentially be more profitable. That said, getting some pointers and finding the best bookies, always helps towards being more informed.
But along with their impressive unbeaten record over the last few years, Argentina boasts an incredibly potent squad of players, arguably more united and cohesive than ever before. They have profound strength and exceptional depth in every area, resolute in defence, creative in midfield, and outstanding in attack. They also boast one of the greatest players of all time, eager to tick one last box on his list of remarkable footballing achievements.
The legacy of Lionel Messi
The last time Argentina lifted the trophy was back at the 1986 World Cup, achieving the ultimate success at the tournament hosted by Mexico. They also reached 1990 final in Italy four years later, and on both occasions, one player was undoubtedly the driving force. Diego Maradona lit up the world of football, and for many people in Argentina, he is their greatest ever player, the man they thought nobody would ever equal.
![Alan Shearer make bold Harry Kane prediction after 200 Premier League Goals milestone. Harry Kane became the third all-time top goal scorer in the Premier League after scoring his 200th Premier League goal against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunaday at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium. The England international is now eight goals behind Wayne Ronney (208) and 60 goals behind Alan Shearer (260). The England Captain is also now the highest goal scorer in Tottenham Hotspurs history with 267 goals overtaking the legendary Jimmy Greaves, Who scored 266 goals in 379 matches. Alan Shearer has urged Harry Kane to break his 260 goals Premier League goal record to become the all time goal scorer in the Premier League history. What did Alan Shearer say about Harry Kane? The Premier League all time goal soccer said on the Premier League official website on Harry Kane overtaken him as the League’s all-time goal scorer: “I’m cool with it. “I know how much he wants it – he’s told me – which is fine, because I was exactly the same. “If he stays fit and stays in this country then he’ll do it. It’s just a matter of when. He’s doing what great goalscorers do, and there aren’t many better than him. “First and foremost, he’s the third player to get 200 goals. Only myself and [Wayne] Rooney have done that, so it’s a small club. “His form is as good as ever. His team’s not doing as well but his stats, that doesn’t seem to be affecting him at all. “He had a huge disappointment at the World Cup but I think he’s come back mentally stronger than ever, and that doesn’t surprise me. I’m a huge fan of his. He’s a fantastic player. “I’ve had it [the record] for such a long time that I’ve always said it’ll go one day. “I thought Rooney might have a great chance of doing it. Obviously he slowed down and then went over to America. “It’s going to go one day, so if it goes [to Kane] then I’ll be the first to shake his hand.” Meanwhile, Louis Saha has urged Manchetser United to sign Harry Kane to win the Premier League. The former Manchester United and French international said: “My prediction is this: Harry Kane will come to Manchester United and win the Premier League. He will have seen the last few games from United and seen that if he joined that attack they could be special.” “He can be recognised as one of the best in the world. He has a modern way of playing, but at the same time, he’s very old school. I think he can reach higher levels, especially in terms of personal achievements because the guy can do it, and he’s a terrific guy and a great ambassador for the Premier League. I really wish he will become a Manchester United player.” Manchester United is expected to bid for Harry Kane in the summer. Despite his illustrious career so far, the England international has no trophies to show for. Manchester United under Erik Ten Hag looks ready to challenge for all major trophies.](https://thenewsgod.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Alan-Shearer-make-bold-Harry-Kane-prediction-after-200-Premier-League-Goals-milestone.-150x150.jpg)
But ever since Lionel Messi burst onto the scene, his wonderful talents and achievements have received global acclaim, winning countless club honours. During a golden era at Barcelona, he won every trophy that could be won and claimed every individual award possible, including the Ballon d’Or for a record seven times.
But there were two trophies that eluded Messi, and both of those were on the international stage. Since debuting with the national team in 2005, agonisingly, Messi had reached the Copa America final on three separate occasions with Argentina, only for them to lose each time. In 2007 Brazil, before the anguish of losing two finals against Chile on penalties, in 2015 and 2016.
Then at long last, Messi and Argentina won the Copa America final in 2021, beating tournament favourites and hosts Brazil, securing a narrow 1-0 victory in what proved to be a tense final. Messi finally had an international trophy to his name with the national team, and now just one prize remains, which is undoubtedly the biggest and most prestigious of them all.
If he can win the World Cup in 2022, Messi can write a new chapter in football history, finally securing his own legacy, and in the eyes of Argentina fans, match the legacy of Maradona. Adding extra spice to this particular narrative, 35-year-old Messi has already indicated he will retire from international football, whatever happens during his last shot at lifting the World Cup trophy.
Argentina World Cup Squad
Head coach Lionel Scaloni had to think very carefully, when planning which players he would select for Argentina, largely due to doubts about fitness and form. Villarreal midfielder Giovani Lo Celso was forced out due to undergoing a muscle operation, and his place was handed to Exequiel Palacios of Bayer Leverkusen.
While his club teammate missed out, Villarreal defender Juan Foyth was rewarded for his excellent performances of late, although that inclusion was considered to be a surprise. As was the call-up for Paulo Dybala, who almost missed his World Cup chance, after sustaining an injury that forced him out of action with Roma. This is the final Argentina squad list:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate) and Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal).
Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon) and Juan Foyth (Villarreal).
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Alejandro Papu Gomez (Sevilla), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen).
Forwards: Angel Di María (Juventus), Lautaro Martinez (Internazionale), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Joaquin Correa (Internazionale), Paulo Dybala (Roma) and Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain).
