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Sports Desk, June 3, 2025 : Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni is grappling with mounting concerns ahead of crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia. The team is plagued by a midfield crisis, with key player Giovani Lo Celso’s participation in doubt due to a fresh injury. The Real Betis midfielder is currently undergoing separate training, and the medical team is assessing his chances of playing.
The June FIFA international window has already left Argentina short of three vital midfielders. Enzo Fernandez and Leandro Paredes are suspended due to yellow card accumulations, while Alexis Mac Allister is sidelined by injury. With Lo Celso’s fitness uncertain, Rodrigo De Paul remains the only fully fit midfielder, leaving Argentina’s midfield severely depleted.
Lo Celso, who played regularly for Betis towards the end of the season, joined the national team fatigued. Although a tailored training plan was designed for him, an injury has created significant uncertainty. Notably, injuries also kept Lo Celso out of the March FIFA window and were a key reason for his exclusion from the 2022 World Cup squad.
Scaloni now faces the challenge of relying on younger, less experienced players. The squad includes promising talents like Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Barrenechea, and Giuliano Simeone. Almada, who scored a stunning goal against Uruguay in a recent FIFA window and impressed against Brazil, could be a key figure. Barrenechea, meanwhile, is seen as a potential replacement for Paredes in the classic “number 5” role.
There’s also a possibility of Juan Nardoni being called up. Though not initially included, discussions are underway to add the Santa Fe-based player to the squad.
With injuries disrupting preparations, Scaloni faces a daunting task. Fielding a full-strength squad against formidable opponents like Chile and Colombia in the World Cup qualifiers will be no easy feat for the reigning world champions.
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