Argentina Football Fans

Argentine legend Gabriel Batistuta believes Mauro Icardi should take the scoring mantle for the South America nation in the forthcoming years with Gonzalo Higuain having entered the latter stages of his professional career. Icardi was left disappointed during the summer after failing to make the World Cup squad and Argentina thereafter suffered a disappointing at the round of 16 stage.

Since then, interim manager Lionel Scaloni has gone with a young squad, which has included the likes of Icardi and Lautaro Martinez, and Batistuta has highlighted that the former has the credentials to make the difference for the country, he said: “I struggle in choosing one. My favourite striker has always been Higuain but he has played in three World Cups for Argentina, he has had his chances. Now I think it is Icardi’s turn, he has a lot of room to improve. Icardi, Dybala, and Simeone are all serious boys, they have a lot of will to improve and I think they are the future of the national team. Pipita has already given what he has to give.”

Franco Vasquez has been waiting a long time to represent his country of birth. The Sevilla midfielder featured for Italy back in March 2015 after receiving a call-up from Antonio Conte but he soon turned his back on the Azzurri and decided to wait patiently for his chance with the Albiceleste.

Earlier this year, the number ten finally got his chance to impress after getting the nod from interim coach Lionel Scaloni. He featured in his side's straightforward 3-0 success over Guatemala at the beginning of September and the 30-year old couldn't be happier to finally receive his first cap.

Argentina interim manager Lionel Scaloni claims that he has not been in touch with Sergio Aguero regarding the possibility of coming back to the national team after having had a spectacular start to his season with Manchester City. Aguero is the second top scorer for Argentina after grabbing five goals already in the Premier League. Even though he was part of the Argentina squad that played at the World Cup 2018, he has not been featuring in the recent friendly matches – a victory over Guatemala and a draw with Colombia.Scaloni has once again not pick the player for the upcoming clashes against Iraq and Brazil. Both games will be played in Saudi Arabia.

Scaloni has largely gone with young players for the recent squads and this has resulted in the departure of veterans like Ever Banega and Angel di Maria from the squad. After numerous disappointments at previous major tournaments, Argentina are undergoing a major shakeup in terms of the squad. Despite possessing some of the best players in the world like Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, they have been unable to get success. The closest Argentina have come close to success in recent decades is the World Cup final appearance in 2014.

Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo has urged Paulo Dybala to train with the same desire as Cristiano Ronaldo in order to secure a regular starting role with the Bianconeri. The Argentina international has witnessed a tough introduction to the new Serie A season and he has managed just 100 minutes of action from the first three matches.

As such, there has been plenty of speculation regarding the Argentine’s future in Turin but Pirlo has advised the Bianconero to impress the manager with the intensity in training, he said: “Accepting that you’re not a starter at this stage of the season isn’t easy for anyone. Paulo will do everything to play as much as possible: if he trains with Ronaldo’s desire then it will be difficult to leave him out. When you don’t play, it means you have to do even more. You must do your bit: Dybala’s qualities aren’t in question. To become a crucial player for Juventus, he must find something from inside. First and foremost, he must do it for himself.”

South Korea international Heung-min Son has revealed his delight after penning a fresh three-year extension with the north London club. The 26-year-old attackerhas been with the Capital outfit for the past three seasons and the latest contract is expected to keep him at the club until the summer of 2023.

Speaking to reporters, Son admitted that he was disappointed with how the first season paved for him with Spurs but he is content to have since made a mark under Mauricio Pochettino, he said: “My first season was not so great – I was disappointed for myself. But I believed in myself that I could play in the Premier League and I have really enjoyed every moment, every single day with my guys, my team-mates at Tottenham. I am really thankful to Tottenham because they gave me this new contract. It didn’t take too many things to sign this new contract because they make my dream come true. I played in Germany and they made me an offer to join the Premier League.”

Argentina international Marcos Rojo has been tipped to leave Manchester United this summer with the club leaning towards signing a new central defender. The 28-year-old has been a credible performer for United over the past four seasons but the club are now pondering over his sale as they seek to recoup funds for the new centre-back.

According to The Sun, United are prepared to accept bids of around £30m for the Argentine defender with Jose Mourinho keen on pursuing a new centre-back before the transfer deadline. It is added that Leicester City’s Harry Maguire remains the prime candidate to replace Rojo, though the Foxes are expected to play hardball over the negotiations.

FIFA presidentGianni Infantino has said that Lionel Messi had been amazing for Argentina during their recent World Cup campaign and fancies the South American nation to come strong at the next edition of the global tournament. Argentina had to fight hard to progress from the group stage of the World Cup but they thereafter lasted just one game after being beaten 4-3 by France in the round of 16.

Speaking in a news conference, Infantino admitted that much was expected of Argentina during the tournament but Messi was amazing as always, he said: "Of course, Argentina expected a lot from the Argentinian national team, the whole world was looking forward to seeing Argentina, and in the end they lost during a very intense, interesting match against France, and France is now in the final... I am convinced that at the next World Cup we will see a very strong Argentinian team again. Messi was amazing, as always. He scored an amazing goal."

Argentine legend Diego Maradona has expressed his desire to coach the national team for free after their dismal display at the ongoing World Cup in Russia. Argentina struggled to make the most of their star-studded attack from the start of the tournament and they eventually bowed out to France during the round of 16 stage.

Since then, there has been question marks regarding the future of Jorge Sampaoli and during a recent interview, Maradona has admitted that he would prefer a second chance of managing the squad for free, he said: “Yes and I would do it for free, I would not ask for anything in return. They think I'm happy but my heart hurts. I wish God gave me the strength to return to the field. The years and life go on for everyone and I get to 57 years of age watching my team beaten by a team that I do not think is one of the best at the World Cup. "It makes me feel bad - everything we built with much effort was destroyed very easily.”

Argentina legend Javier Zanetti believes Lionel Messi is under more pressure to deliver for the national side after witnessing them lose in the finals of the previous three major tournaments. The Barcelona star has won everything within reach at club level but he has yet to taste any form of glory with the Albiceleste.

Speaking to Mediaset, Zanetti admitted that Messi will once more be the focus of Argentina’s World Cup campaign and feels the burden will only increase on him, should the nation reach the final stages of the tournament, he said: “There is a lot of pressure on him, but not only in this competition but also in the past.

Argentina international Lionel Messi has wished that his nation were more like Germany as they head into the summer World Cup in Russia. Joachim Loew’s side have undergone a tremendous transition from the World Cup triumph in 2014 and Messi is particularly impressed with the simplicity with which the Germans have regrouped.

He told TyC Sports: “I wish we were more like Germany and worked like them. They keep working on a long-term plan and rejuvenate the team at the right time.They’re already preparing for the next World Cup,they have a different way of preparing, letting people work, and judging them on what they do.”
Germany have included plenty of younger players in their squad for the upcoming global tournament and they seem to have already planned for the 2022 World Cup where they could still be under the guidance of Loew. The 58-year-old has witnessed the progress of the national team over the past 12 years and his achievements have seen recently seen him rewarded with a fresh four-year extension.