The defending champions and 2022 World Cup winners are the favourites to retain their crown this summer – but which players will be involved?
After winning the 2022 World Cup, Argentina would have been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas; a grace period, per se. Instead, La Albiceleste won nine of their 10 matches in 2023, which was rounded out by a stunning away victory over Brazil in World Cup qualifying. Now, they're looking more determined than ever to lift another trophy.
Lionel Scaloni's future as the boss of Argentina after the Copa America is uncertain, though, and thus he could be looking to end things on a high note by overseeing his team's defense of the crown they won in 2021 and securing a third-successive tournament victory.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, will obviously be at the forefront yet again in what is likely his final Copa America. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to be joined by the majority of the men who helped him finally get over the line on the global stage in Qatar, too.
La Albiceleste announced a 29-man preliminary squad on May 20, meaning three players will need to be cut by early June. But who made the cut, and who missed out altogether? GOAL has everything you need…
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GOALKEEPERS
After winning the World Cup Golden Glove, Emi Martinez will return as the No.1 goalkeeper for Argentina this coming summer, and he will be backed-up by River Plate's Franco Armani and Ajax shot-stopper Geronimo Rulli.
| Name |
Club |
| Franco Armani |
River Plate |
| Emiliano Martinez |
Aston Villa |
| Geronimo Rulli |
Ajax |
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DEFENDERS
Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi has been Scaloni's preferred central-defensive duo since the World Cup, though that it is in part due to Lisandro Martinez's injury woes. The Manchester United man recently returned to fitness ahead of the tournament, and could yet force his way into the lineup.
Like in Qatar, Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are fighting it out for a starting role at right-back, while Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Tagliafico are likely to be the two specialist left-backs in the squad.
| Name |
Club |
| Marcos Acuna |
Sevilla |
| Leonardo Balerdi |
Marseille |
| Valentin Barco |
Brighton |
| Lisandro Martinez |
Manchester United |
| Nahuel Molina |
Atletico Madrid |
| Gonzalo Montiel |
Nottingham Forest |
| Nicolas Otamendi |
Benfica |
| German Pezzella |
Real Betis |
| Lucas Martinez Quarta |
Fiorentina |
| Cristian Romero |
Tottenham |
| Nicolas Tagliafico |
Lyon |
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MIDFIELDERS
Chelsea superstar Enzo Fernandez will slot into Argentina's midfield alongside Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo De Paul and Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, with the latter likely to play the furthest forward as Scaloni looks to implement a system similar to that which worked so well in Qatar.
Spurs midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso has struggled for minutes at club level but remains in contention for a role off the bench, while Exequiel Palacios' stunning form for Bayer Leverkusen may mean he also earns some minutes.
| Name |
Club |
| Valentin Carboni |
Monza |
| Rodrigo De Paul |
Atletico Madrid |
| Enzo Fernandez |
Chelsea |
| Giovani Lo Celso |
Tottenham |
| Alexis Mac Allister |
Liverpool |
| Exequiel Palacios |
Bayer Leverkusen |
| Leandro Paredes |
Roma |
| Guido Rodriguez |
Real Betis |
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FORWARDS
Led by Messi up front, La Albiceleste have a plethora of options to build and support around him. Angel Di Maria will have one last run-out with the national team, while Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho and Fiorentina sensation Nico Gonzalez are fighting for starting roles, too.
Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, meanwhile, are battling to start as the No.9, with the Manchester City man currently in pole position when it comes to that battle.
| Name |
Club |
| Julian Alvarez |
Manchester City |
| Angel Correa |
Atletico Madrid |
| Angel Di Maria |
Benfica |
| Alejandro Garnacho |
Manchester United |
| Nicolas Gonzalez |
Fiorentina |
| Lautaro Martinez |
Inter |
| Lionel Messi |
Inter Miami |
