36 years is a long period, especially for a talented nation as Argentina. Apart from 1978, La Albiceleste were the champions of the world last time in 1986, when Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ goal allowed them to reach the finals. Many fantastic players tried over decades, but failed for various reasons. And this generation too has a number of star players with enough experience to fight for the final. And they are led by a man on a mission – Lionel Messi. Arguably the best footballer in the world recently won Copa Americana and now has only one major trophy left – the World Cup. At 34, this is his last chance and he and his teammates will do everything they can to achieve that goal.Messi singles out Brazil and France as World Cup favoritesThe Argentinian football federation also tried to do their best and give players and coach Lionel Scaloni the best possible environment to succeed. Argentina has one friendly with United Arab Emirates lined up on November 16, six days before their first match at the tournament against Saudi Arabia. So, according to Daily Mail, the Argentinian FA asked one Premier League club to release their player a bit early, in order to get to Qatar as soon as possible. They were flat rejected and that club immediately informed other clubs and the league about this approach, so it is now expected that all other requests will be denied. Under FIFA rules, clubs do not have to release their players until Monday, November 14 and they will certainly use that argument. There are six Argentina stars in the Premier League – Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Cristian Romero (Tottenham) and Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton).’When we are united, Argentina is very difficult to beat”The situation with Spain however is a bit different. The Argentinian FA could approach Spanish clubs to request an early release of their internationals after the final LaLiga games on November 8-9. Next week Spanish Cup is on schedule, and some clubs might decide do release Argentinian players then. Villarreal already agreed to let Lo Celso but only because he is already injured. Seville and Atletico Madrid, clubs with most Argentinian players in Spain are having poor seasons, and they might refuse the offer, since they need the strongest possible squads at all time.##NAJAVA_MECA_6778687##And then there is the captain – Lionel Messi. Usually well informed RMC Sport claimed that the Argentinian has the national selection squeezed in his contract and that he requested to be released from PSG early, from November 7. But, apparently people close to him have denied the existence of such a clause so he will remain with the squad until it’s time to go to Qatar.
