In the transandean country, a debate is generated around the successor of La Pulga as wearer of the bracelet. Emiliano Martínez, Rodrigo de Paul, Nicolás Otamendi and Leandro Paredes appear as the favorites of the group.
In Argentina, it is hoped that the duel against La Roja at the Monumental de River will be a party. However, this time they won’t have some of their most iconic hosts. For example, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria will not be there. Without the Flea, in the trans-Andean country, the debate rages over who will wear the emblematic captain’s genet. In this sense, the favorite that appears is Emiliano Martinez. El Dibu has become one of the fans’ favourite names and one of the leaders in the dressing room.
“It’s a pride to be here again,” said the goalkeeper upon his arrival in Buenos Aires, without going into details about his possible captaincy in the clash against the Chilean team. In the AFA, they have already provided that the goalkeeper can wear the armband. On the program, AFA study official production of the Argentine Football Federation, they indicated it thus. “Dibu Martínez’s management is asking for the captaincy. At some point, it will happen. “It’s already written. And the final touch would be for someone to wear the ribbon, right?” said Sebastián Varela del Río, host of the space.
The professional added: “I hope it happens in the most organic way possible and with as few crises as possible. If Messi decides to rest a match. If he decides to participate in a match, it doesn’t happen much. It seems to me that maybe in the future it will be written. Dibu will soon be captain of the national team. And it’s funny because he’s a guy who hasn’t yet reached 50 matches in the national team.”
Another footballer who appears as an alternative is Rodrigo de Paul. The midfielder, a very good friend of the Inter Miami attacking midfielder, has indeed discussed the alternative. “Do I see myself with the captain’s ribbon? I don’t know. I always say that I occupy the role that is given to me. It’s been many years, I feel like an important player in this team and that’s the only thing I can say. We know that the ribbon belongs to Leo and who should wear it now is circumstantial because he is the captain of this national team,” he said upon his arrival in Ezeiza.
The two remaining players are Nicolás Otamendi, the one who has defended the Albiceleste the longest in the current squad named by Lionel Scaloni. Leandro Paredes was also nominated. Looking back at the history of the duels, the last time Messi was not in the Albiceleste was in June 2023 in a friendly against Indonesia in Jakarta as part of a tour of Asia. That day, the transandean team won 2-0 and the captain was defender Germán Pezzella, who had that honor ahead of Dibu Martínez or Cuti Romero, who presented themselves as chances before the clash.
In Scaloni’s call there were also surprises. One of the biggest was Valentín Castellanos, born in football at the University of Chile and arrived in Argentina and showed his joy at being included in the list. “It is a dream to be able to enjoy this call, always with the responsibility of becoming world champion and double champion of America,” said the player trained at the Azul Sports Center.
Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
