How Are World Cup Champion Argentina Players Progressing Overseas in 2024
It has been two years now since Argentina claimed their third World Cup Championship. One of the keys to their victory resided in players competing in the top leagues in Europe and other countries overseas. The competition is fierce and varied. It has often proven to be extremely beneficial to the progress of their top-line starters when they line up face-to-face with the best the world can offer at a World Cup.
Argentina has always had good representation in Europe from Alfredo Di Stefano to Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi. However, the collection of players that captured the 2022 World Cup were important cogs in many league teams' successes leading to the World Cup. This has continued for the past two years. The Premier League is a good place to start. It is arguably the top league in the world and four Argentinians continue to make an impact.
At the top with the current leader in the standings for Liverpool is midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. The 25-year-old is already a versatile playmaker who is the son of Carlos Javier Mac Allister who played for Argentina in 1993. Alexis is comfortable in his surroundings as he descends from Scottish and Irish parents with an Italian grandmother. It is not a stretch to say that he was the engine that allowed the Argentine attack to move smoothly and flexibly while contributing to two Copa Americas and a World Cup. He has also used those skills to capture the 2023-24 EFL Cup.
Chelsea is currently playing above themselves sitting in second place behind Liverpool. One can point to the young, central-midfield Enzo Fernandez, who has been worth every dollar of the British record transfer worth 108 million dollars. The 23-year-old won two trophies in his earlier days while on loan for Defensa y Justicia before returning to River Plate. He jumped from there to Benfica then half a year later arrived in Chelsea coming off two Copa America titles and World Cup scoring three goals and adding five assists in 2023-2024. Enzo has come out on firing in the new season with three goals already. Enzo’s upside sees no limits.
In addition, you have a blonde, 20-something repping Manchester United. Alejandro Garnacho, the flashy winger, with three goals and three assists, is already being groomed as the successor for Argentina. An FA Cup champion; who was awarded the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in 2022 came a mere five years after his first-team debut. Finally, you have the goalie of the hour, Emiliano Martinez, whose prowess in the penalty box has garnered Argentina two Copa Americas, a Finalissima, and a World Cup. He continues to roam the Aston Villa goal for the fourth season. Though he has lost some form, Dibu is still one of the top goaltenders in the world.
The Spanish league has an impact player from the Abiceleste, one you may remember who scored the World Cup-winning penalty against France in the 2022 Final. His name is Gonzalo Montiel. He calls Portugal home during the club season. He played for Nottingham Forest last season but now steadies the right-back for Sevilla. They are hoping he assists them as he did for Argentina to several trophies as he did for them in 2022-23 when they captured the UEFA Europa League.
Lautaro Martinez's stock continues to rise as a striker and captain for Inter Milan. Lautaro has averaged 20 goals for the last seasons in Italy and already has five to start the new campaign. He came off a glittering performance in the United States, leading everyone with five goals, including the clincher in a 1-0 win over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America. At 27, he is in his prime and should be one to keep an eye on in the next World Cup in 2026. Nicolas Otamendi, the defensive rock of Argentina and Benfica, has carried the Argentine offense through the South American World Cup qualifiers. Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul of Athletico Madrid have been at the center of Argentine success and helped Madrid to the top of the Spanish standings in 2024.
The best is left for last. Lionel Messi, the 2022 World Cup Champion, is enjoying his time in Florida playing for Inter Miami in MLS. It has been a love fest since his arrival in 2023. When you score 21 goals, hang out with David Beckham and countless celebrities, and bring trophies to a last-place team you are in heaven on earth. Messi led the team in pink to the League Cup in 2023 and now the Supporters Shield in 2024. As can be deduced from this overview of the world stage, Argentines are still doing well everywhere they go and anywhere they play. The Muchachos are still very much Muchachos.
