According to regulations, the preliminary list for the 2024 Copa America – with a minimum of 35 players and a maximum of 55 – must be announced on Sunday at Conmebol (South American Football Confederation).
Even though there is still time to come up with the final list of 23 players – which was officially announced on June 12, coach Lionel Scaloni has more than 40 names in his sights, mainly from foreign countries. outside. Two of them are already confirmed and undisputed for March’s US tour (Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria), while 21 others still have to fight for tickets.
Despite the fact that Messi and Di Maria are the two confirmed by Scaloni, there are other players in a similar situation. Such as goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is recovering from a small muscle injury and aims to close out a perfect season (Conference League semi-finals; chance to qualify for the Champions League with Aston Villa).
Also in the goalkeeper position, Walter Benitez, currently only one point away from winning the Dutch championship with PSV, just started against Costa Rica, and is in the race with Franco Armani.
The foundation of the defense remains the world champions in Qatar: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella and Nicolas Tagliafico. However, there are members attending the 2022 World Cup who have not yet confirmed their reservations.
These people include Juan Foyth, who has not played with Villarreal since December 9 due to a shoulder injury, or Lisandro Martinez, who only played 11 matches this season for MU due to injury and did not have any minutes with the team. since the friendly match with Curacao.
Therefore, competitors have appeared, from Pablo Maffeo to Marcos Senesi or Facundo Medina, Nicolas Valentini, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Valentin Barco.
In midfield, the situation seems a bit clearer. Enzo Fernandez had to have surgery for an inguinal hernia to be able to go to America. Alexis MacAllister stars at Liverpool, Rodrigo de Paul is an undisputed choice, as are Leandro Paredes and Guido Rodriguez.
Don’t miss the great moments of Exequiel Palacios – Bundesliga champion with Leverkusen – and Facundo Buonanotte who is growing up in Brighton with 4 goals in 33 matches.
However, a number of other names are also competing for positions including Lucas Ocampos (U23 team), Valentin Carboni (debuted against Costa Rica), Matias Soule (had a successful season at Frosinone: 11 goals and 3 assists created), world champion Thiago Almada. However, the last three could participate in another important tournament, the Olympics, which would keep them out of the Copa America.
As for the attack, three names are guaranteed, including Julian Alvarez, Man City’s key striker; Lautaro Martinez, Serie A champion with Inter; Player with outstanding maturity Alejandro Garnacho, who debuted as a starter against Costa Rica and had an impressive first season with MU: 45 matches, 9 goals and 5 assists.
What is unknown is whether Paulo Dybala will participate or not because although he has played 35 matches for Roma (16 goals, 10 assists), injury has not allowed him to play with the national team since March 29 last year against Curaçao.
Players considered by Scaloni for the preliminary list
Goalie
Emiliano Martínez
Franco Armani
Walter Benitez
Geronimo Rulli
Juan Musso
Defender
Nahuel Molina
Christian Romero
Nicolas Otamendi
Nicolás Tagliafico
Gonzalo Montiel
German Pezzella
Lisandro Martinez
Nehuen Perez
Marcos Acuna
Juan Foyth
Marcos Senesi
Pablo Maffeo
Facundo Medina
Valentin Barco
Nicolas Valentini
Lucas Martinez Quarta
Midfielder
Rodrigo De Paul
Leandro Paredes
Giovani Lo Celso
Alexis MacAllister
Enzo Fernandez
Exquiel Palacios
Guido Rodriguez
Facundo Buonanotte
Valentin Carboni
Thiago Almada
Matias Soule
Lucas Ocampos
Striker
Lionel Messi
Angel Di Maria
Julian Alvarez
Lautaro Martinez
Nicolas Gonzalez
Paulo Dybala
Alejandro Garnacho
Ángel Correa
