One of the Favourites for the World Cup Will Have No Players in the Champions League Final
After clinching the 2022 World Cup, Buenos Aires erupted in a torrent of celebration as a long suppressed emotional outpouring finally broke free, having been held back for 36 and a half years.
Six months later, Manchester City's Julian Alvarez and Inter's Lautaro Martinez, the two centre forwards of the world champions, squared off in Istanbul in the Champions League decider. The former emerged victorious, only stepping onto the pitch at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium for the pre match warm up and then to lift the trophy skyward.
These days, however, Argentina, who will enter the World Cup as one of the favourites to claim the trophy on July 19th in New Jersey, will have no representatives on the pitch when PSG and Arsenal clash this Saturday in the Champions League final.
The other main contenders for World Cup glory will each have at least one player involved.
Martinez as the Exception
Last week, Emiliano Martinez shrugged off the label of someone who had never achieved anything with Aston Villa. Out of the likely 26 players that Lionel Scaloni may choose to represent Argentina at the World Cup, only Martinez, Emiliano Buendia (also of Villa), and goalkeeper Walter Benitez of Crystal Palace have gone all the way in a European competition this season. However, the latter two are unlikely to make the final squad.
At the Puskas Arena, the sole representative of the world champions will be Gabriel Heinze, an assistant to Mikel Arteta, who will watch his Spanish compatriots David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino take on Fabian Ruiz in the showpiece event.
For Portugal, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Vitinha will feature, while France will be represented by Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Warren Zaire Emery and Lucas Hernandez.
Among the other nations with a stronger pedigree, England will not be absent; Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka are expected to appear on the team sheets on Saturday. Finally, despite not being at their peak, Brazil will have Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos in action.
2023 Feels Like an Eternity Ago
It feels like a distant memory since the summer of 2023, when Argentina born players were plentiful in various teams that reached the European finals. Besides the aforementioned Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa was part of the Inter squad that played in Istanbul.
Sevilla's Albiceleste colony that won the Europa League final against Roma included Gonzalo Montiel, Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez, Erik Lamela and Lucas Ocampos, while Paulo Dybala was on the opposing side.
The Conference League final between Fiorentina and West Ham that year saw Nico Gonzalez and Lucas Martinez Quarta, then playing for the Italians, facing Manuel Lanzini, then playing for the English side.
Today, however, despite a prosperous period confirmed by winning the Copa America in 2024 and dominantly leading the South American World Cup qualifying, the Seleccion paradoxically no longer stands out for its individuals as much as for its collective strength.
With the exception of Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the World Cup and is dealing with a muscle strain that could affect his preparation for Argentina's World Cup opener against Algeria, Dibu Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez appear to be the only Argentinians who currently hold unquestionable positions at their clubs.
In defence, Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico do not start for Atletico Madrid and Lyon, while veteran Nicolas Otamendi is leaving Benfica and Cuti Romero is now one foot out the door at Tottenham.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister has paid the price for Liverpool's disappointing season, but should still retain his status as a starter for the Albiceleste. On the wings, Giuliano Simeone and Thiago Almada could offer alternatives.
The absence of a totem like Angel Di Maria, who is having one of his best seasons ever at Rosario Central despite being 38, could be felt at the World Cup. With this in mind, it will be crucial to see how Nico Paz, aged 22, who has already demonstrated he can act as Messi's understudy, will fit in.
As in 2022, all the responsibility will fall on Scaloni, whose low profile was necessary to secure a historic title that allowed an entire nation to shake off a deep seated negativity.
The absence of Argentine players in the Champions League final might just be a minor detail. After all, the strength of the current Seleccion, the best team in the world in terms of recent titles won (three in three calendar years from 2021 to 2024), lies in the cohesion of an extraordinary group managed by a talented yet calm coach.