Champions in doubt: Argentina’s legends who could miss out on the World Cup | OneFootball

The foundation of Scaloni’s cycle remains solid, but the passage of time, injuries, and internal competition are beginning to cast doubt on the presence of some World Cup champions on the road to 2026.

With less than half a year to go before the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine National Team no longer questions its identity or its backbone. Lionel Scaloni has a consolidated, winning structure with clear leaders. However, the context is starting to change: repeated injuries, loss of continuity, and the emergence of new options are raising questions about players who were key in Qatar and who no longer have a guaranteed spot.

The process of renewal does not imply a rupture. Quite the opposite. The coaching staff’s intention is to maintain the champion base, but to adjust pieces where the present demands it. And in this careful analysis, some historic players, for various reasons, have entered a period of evaluation.

One of the most sensitive cases is that of Giovani Lo Celso. His talent has never been in question, but injuries have once again interrupted his continuity. A new muscle issue in his thigh sidelined him during a key stretch of the calendar, with the Finalissima against Spain on the horizon. When he’s fit, he’s a direct option for the starting eleven; when he’s not, his margin shrinks in an increasingly crowded area of the field.

A similar situation is happening with Juan Foyth. His Achilles tendon rupture will sideline him for several months, and his recovery is only expected in the second half of the year. His versatility has always been valued, but time is working against him and internal competition in defense has grown stronger.

On the left flank, there’s the case of Marcos Acuña, another World Cup champion who now depends almost exclusively on his physical condition. When he’s at his best, he adds experience and character; when he’s not, he quickly loses ground.

In the same position, Nicolás Tagliafico can also be mentioned. Although he is a fixture for Scaloni due to his reliability and effectiveness, he gave the National Team a scare: in a Europa League match, Young Boys defender Gregory Wuthrich fell backwards onto the right leg of the former Banfield and Independiente player, who had to leave the field. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that his physical condition does not seem to be a concern for the future, since since the last Copa América he has played 85 matches and has only missed 9 due to injury.

Further back are names like Paulo Dybala or Ángel Correa, whose talent is undisputed but who have never managed to maintain continuity during this cycle, whether due to injuries or fierce competition in attack.

The flip side of this scenario is clear: the emergence of players like Nicolás Paz, Giuliano Simeone, Valentín Barco, or Franco Mastantuono is pushing from below and forcing a rethinking of hierarchies. It’s not about erasing champions, but about understanding that the World Cup is played with those who are in form now.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.