Lionel Messi and Argentina start as one of the World Cup favourites. Nick Hext looks at their chances...
Tuesday 10 June 2014 14:39, UK
Argentina enter the World Cup as one of the favourites to lift the trophy and playing on South American soil can give them the edge over some of their rivals.
8A lot of the pressure will be heaped on star man Lionel Messi and the Barcelona maestro will hope to steal the show on football's biggest stage for the first time. More is expected after the two previous tournaments ended at the quarter-final stage and progress should be made with a highly-talented squad.
There were no major issues in qualifying as Argentina finished top of the South American section ahead of fellow finalists Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay. A cast of Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi certainly provides attacking threat and no defence will be relishing that challenge.
Argentina's Group F fixtures
Coach: Alejandro Sabella
Sabella has been in charge since the summer of 2011 after taking over following a disappointing performance at the Copa America. He previously worked as Daniel Passarella’s deputy with the national team and his most notable achievement as a manager came when Estudiantes won the Copa Libertadores in 2009. Fans in England will remember Sabella's playing career in Yorkshire with Sheffield United and Leeds between 1978 and 1981.
Star man: Lionel Messi
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner is probably under more pressure to perform this summer than any other player. Messi captains Argentina and needs a memorable World Cup to cement his legacy as one of the greatest performers of all time. Both of his previous appearances in the tournament have ended in the quarter-finals and a strike in the 6-0 victory over Nigeria back in 2006 remains his only goal in the finals. Messi hasn't been at his best during a tough season for Barcelona but his quality is unmatched and he could peak at just the right time for his country.
Tournament best: Winners 1978, 1986
Squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Jose Basanta (Monterrey).
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St-Germain).
British based players: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United) and Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City).
Sky Bet odds: 9/2
At 9/2, Argentina are the bookmakers’ second favourites behind the hosts in the outright market. Without a World Cup triumph since the Diego Maradona-inspired side of 1986, Argentina have largely underachieved since then, but on South American soil they’re expected to make a real challenge. Their star attraction Lionel Messi is the 7/1 favourite to be the tournament’s top goalscorer, with a double on that plus Argentina to lift the trophy paying out odds of 14/1. Beyond Messi, Angel Di Maria could prove a shrewd bet to win the Golden Ball as player of the tournament at an eye-catching 66/1.
