.png)
The anticipation for the 2024 Copa America is building, and
Argentina, the defending champions, have recently announced their preliminary
squad. While some familiar faces are included, there are also surprising
omissions. Let’s take a closer look at the players who made the cut and those
left out.
Notable Omissions
Juan Foyth
Position: Defender (Right-back)
Club: Villarreal
Reason for Exclusion: Foyth has struggled with injuries this
season, limiting his playing time. Despite being a World Cup winner, his lack
of match fitness likely influenced Scaloni’s decision.
Alejandro “Papu” Gómez
Position: Forward (Attacking midfielder)
Club: Monza
Reason for Exclusion: Gómez tested positive for a banned substance
during his time at Sevilla. The two-year ban has ruled him out of contention
for the Copa America.
Thiago Almada
Position: Midfielder (Attacking midfielder)
Club: Atlanta United
Reason for Exclusion: Almada is set to represent Argentina in the
Olympics, which takes place after the Copa America. His focus will be on the
U23 team.
Paulo Dybala
Position: Forward (Attacking midfielder)
Club: AS Roma
Reason for Exclusion: Dybala’s absence remains unexplained.
Despite a good season with Roma, Scaloni opted not to include him.
Rising Stars
Valentín Carboni
Position: Forward
Club: AC Monza
Potential Impact: Carboni, a rising talent, could make a name for
himself in the Copa America. Keep an eye on his performances.
Julián Álvarez
Position: Forward
Club: Manchester City
Potential Impact: Álvarez has been impressive for Manchester City.
His versatility and goal-scoring ability make him an exciting prospect.
Here are the 29 players which have been picked and will be with
the team for the matches against Honduras and Ecuador before the Copa America
in the United States.
Goalkeepers:
Franco Armani (River Plate)Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax)
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Defenders:
Gonzalo Montiel (Notting Forest)Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille)
Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
Germán Pezzella (Real Betis)
Lucas Martínez Quarta (Fiorentina)
Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)
Marcos Acuña (Sevilla)
Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon)
Valentín Barco (Brighton)
Midfielders:
Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis)Leandro Paredes (AS Roma)
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)
Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards:
Ángel Di María (Benfica)Valentín Carboni (AC Monza)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid)
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
Nicolás González (Fiorentina)
Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
Julián Álvarez (Manchester City)
Argentina’s preliminary squad boasts a mix of experience and
youth. While some familiar stars will lead the charge, the absence of players
like Dybala and Foyth opens the door for rising talents. As the tournament
approaches, all eyes will be on Messi and the rest of La Albiceleste as they
aim to defend their title.
Tags: #CopaAmerica #Argentina #Football #Soccer
