News Focus
- Argentina aim to be the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup trophy
- Recent defending champions Germany, Spain and Italy all failed to escape their groups
- Ten players from the 2022 final victory over France remain in the current squad
- Captain Lionel Messi will be 39 years old when the tournament kicks off in North America
- Former skipper Javier Zanetti insists Messi’s presence gives the team a crucial advantage
Argentina face a historic challenge as they attempt to lift the World Cup for a second consecutive time. No country has managed this feat on foreign soil for more than six decades. The last team to succeed was Brazil in 1962. Victory would provide the perfect end to Lionel Messi’s international career, but the statistics suggest the task is incredibly tough.
Javier Zanetti, who once wore the captain’s armband for his country, remains optimistic. He told Sky Sports that the current squad possesses the right attitude and quality. However, he admits that winning the competition twice in a row is extremely difficult.
History supports his cautious view. France pushed Argentina all the way in the Qatar final three years ago, but their overall campaign was unusual. Before their run, the previous three champions had suffered embarrassing early exits. In 2018, Germany finished last in a group containing Sweden, Mexico and South Korea. Four years earlier, Spain lost their opening match 5-1 against the Netherlands and crashed out. Italy suffered a similar fate in 2010, finishing below Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.
France themselves had set the modern standard for failure when they tried to defend their 1998 title. In 2002, they lost to Senegal in their first match and failed to win a single game. Brazil’s quarter-final appearance in 2006 counts as relative success in this context.
The problem usually starts with squad selection. Coaches often keep faith with the same players who brought glory. This creates ageing teams that lack fresh energy. Failure forces change, but success encourages everyone to stay.
Marcello Lippi left his post as Italy manager after winning in 2006, yet returned two years later. His captain, Fabio Cannavaro, missed the European Championships through injury but returned for the 2010 World Cup aged 36. The team looked slow and outdated. After their exit, one Italian journalist wrote that the players were “cooked” and had made the world laugh at their poor performances.
Spain faced comparable issues under Vicente Del Bosque in 2014. Despite winning three straight major tournaments, their squad appeared tired in Brazil. Key midfielders Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez retired from international duty soon after.
Joachim Low encountered identical troubles with Germany in Russia four years later. He trusted the same group who had won in Brazil, but they had grown old. Sami Khedira, previously the midfield engine, was 31 and could not maintain his energy levels. Mesut Ozil also struggled with the pace and never played for Germany again. Low failed to recognise that the team’s character had changed even though the names remained familiar.
Argentina now risk repeating these mistakes. Ten members of the starting eleven from the Qatar final are expected to play again. Alexis Mac Allister, now at Liverpool, may struggle to match the incredible running he produced against France to create Angel Di Maria’s goal. He has become a different type of player.
The defence looks particularly vulnerable to age. Nicolas Otamendi will be 38 and is set to move from Benfica to River Plate after the tournament. Left-back Nicolas Tagliafico is 33. Messi himself will turn 39 during the competition and currently plays in Major League Soccer.
Despite these concerns, the form guide looks positive. Messi arrives fit and scoring goals. Argentina won the Copa America in 2024 and dominated their qualifying group with Messi as top scorer.
Zanetti believes the captain remains vital. “Having Messi is a bonus,” he stated. “He is the best in history. For me, he is the best in the past, the best now.” He added that Messi’s presence on the pitch gives teammates confidence because he can change any match in an instant.
Fresh faces could provide the necessary balance. Nico Paz has impressed hugely while helping Como reach the Champions League. Valentin Barco, aged 21 and formerly of Brighton, has also emerged. Atletico Madrid’s Giuliano Simeone offers another youthful option. Zanetti notes that this mix of youth and experience could prove successful.
Everything still depends heavily on Messi. Winning the trophy would require five knockout victories in just over two weeks for a player approaching 40. The relationship between Messi and manager Lionel Scaloni will prove crucial. Their strong bond and clear communication should help Messi remain influential.
Even for a player of Messi’s genius, this represents a massive gamble. He achieved his dream ending in Qatar but wants more. Completing the double would be remarkable. Yet the failures of previous champions suggest this dream may be out of reach.