As the World Cup edges closer, we continue our run down of all 32 competing nations in Russia.
After rounding off Group C with Peru, we are staying in South America to kick off Group D.
As remarkable as it sounds, Argentina genuinely almost failed to qualify for the World Cup, managing to scrape through by the skin of their teeth.
Jorge Sampaoli was brought into save their qualification campaign and just about managed it without completely impressing.
Despite an immense wealth of riches in attack, Argentina still look an average side when Lionel Messi is not available, highlighted by their stunning 6-1 defeat to Spain in March.
Argentina only scored 19 goals in 18 qualifiers en route to qualifying for the World Cup, which is a concern ahead of next month’s finals. However, you can never discount Argentina’s chances with Messi in the team.
The 30-year-old finished this season as the highest rated WhoScored player in Europe’s top five leagues (25+ apps) after playing a direct hand in 46 goals in 36 games (8.68).
Messi claimed the Golden Shoe award – most league goals in Europe - for the fifth time in his career, ending up with 34 goals for Barcelona in La Liga.
He is approaching the World Cup in red-hot form. Messi has almost single-handedly inspired Argentina to the final of each of their last three major tournaments, but can they go one better here?
Sampaoli announced his 23-man squad for the World Cup earlier this week and the biggest takeaway was the absence of Inter striker Mauro Icardi, who was the joint top scorer in Serie A this season (29 goals).
Argentina will also be without first choice goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who was ruled out of the tournament on Tuesday night with a knee injury.
Sampaoli is not short of experience in reserve, as all three of his other goalkeepers are aged over 30. However, they are relative novices on the international stage, making only eight caps between them.
Argentina’s defence is notoriously the weakest point of their team and the absence of Romero is a headache Sampaoli would rather have done without.
With Messi in the team, it’s unlikely any other Argentina player will be able to make a name for themselves in Russia. The team will be built to get the best out of Messi, but the Barcelona star will still need contributions from others at key times.
In previous tournaments, Messi has often been criticised from within Argentina for failing his country, forgetting the fact he has put them in the position to achieve in the first place.
Messi will hope the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero can finally deliver on the international stage, as Argentina bid to end their 32-year wait to win the World Cup.
