Argentina’s XI in World Cup Final vs France and Where They Are Now After One Year

• A year ago today, Argentina beat France on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup
• Lionel Messi finally won the last trophy missing from his career trophy cabinet
• A lot has changed in one year, but most of the squad have remained the same

It’s been a year since the phrase, 'Argentina! Champions of the world!' echoed worldwide as the South American nation beat defending champions, France on penalties to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi fell to his knees after Gonzalo Montiel sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way to win it for La Albiceleste, their first world title since the Diego Maradona-inspired triumph in Mexico back in 1986.

Sports Brief looks at the starting 11 for the world champions that day and where they are now.

Meet the top 4 African stars who played for Eintracht Frankfurt

Football

Argentina’s XI vs France in Qatar

1. Emiliano Martinez

Dibu, as he’s popularly referred to, stepped up big for his country with saves during the penalty shootout against Netherlands and France. He also made one of the greatest saves of all time against Randal Kolo Muani. He remained at Aston Villa, who are in the Premier League title race this season.

2. Nahuel Molina

The defender scored his first goal for his country against Netherlands off Messi’s beautiful assist. He joined Atletico Madrid from Udinese in July 2022 and remained with the club despite interests post-Mundial. Per Caught Offside, the club are negotiating a new contract despite his current deal expiring in 2027.

3. Nicolas Otamendi

The former Manchester City defender was a rock in the defence throughout the tournament. At 35, he remained with Benfica, helping the club to win the Portuguese title months after the triumph in Qatar.

Revealed! 15 times Kylian Mbappé shocked the football world

Football

4. Cristian Romero

The hard-hitting centre-back formed a formidable partnership with Otamendi. Romero has remained with Tottenham Hotspur after the tournament, where he is one of the club’s vice-captains.

5. Nicolas Tagliafico

Tagliafico exchanged left-back duties with Marcos Acuna but was preferred for the final. The Mundial has not changed much about him and he is still with Olympique Lyon, the club he joined months before the tournament.

6. Rodrigo De Paul

One of Argentina’s best players at the tournament, who kicked on after the disappointing opening-day defeat to Saudi Arabia. Per Goal, he had offers from Saudi Arabia but turned it down to continue with Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.

7. Enzo Fernandez

The tournament’s best young player, Enzo Fernandez sealed a move away from Benfica to join Chelsea for £106.8 million in the January transfer window after the tournament. He had only joined the Portuguese club in July 2022.

The biggest World Cup snubs: A list of footballers left out of their countries’ World Cup squad

Football

8. Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister made the team to Qatar after Giovanni Lo Celso's injury and took his opportunity with both hands. He and Enzo became starters in the second game against Mexico. He left Brighton to join Liverpool in the summer after the Mundial.

9. Angel Di Maria

The winger missed most of the tournament due to injury but was chosen to start on the left wing. He left Juventus on acrimonious terms after the World Cup and joined Benfica. The former Real Madrid star has confirmed he will retire from international duty after 2024 Copa America.

10. Julian Alvarez

Alvarez, Fernandez, and Mac Allister were three young players who became starters against Mexico. The former River Plate star scored four goals, including two against Croatia. He signed a contract extension with Manchester City four months after the World Cup.

11. Lionel Messi

Messi left Paris Saint-Germain after the World Cup. He joined Inter Miami and won the club its first trophy. He has won multiple awards, including The Best FIFA Men's Player and a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or.

Ecuador World Cup Squad 2022: Is Enner Valencia playing in this World Cup?

Football

12. Gonzalo Montiel

The full-back did not start the game but came on to score the winning penalty. He repeated the feat for Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League final win against AS Roma. He is currently on loan at English club, Nottingham Forest.

Exciting news! We have a WhatsApp channel 🤩

➡️ Click to join our channel for all your favourite sports news.

8 Argentines reject Saudi moves

Sports Brief previously reported on Argentina players rejecting Saudi Arabia big money moves, including captain Messi, who turned down a potential world-record salary.

The world champions lost their opening game against the Arab country and seven of those players had minutes in the game, such as Otamendi, Di Maria, and Leandro Paredes.

Messi’s six moments in Qatar

Sports Brief also previously reported on Messi’s six unforgettable World Cup moments as revealed by the veteran in celebration of the six-month anniversary of that triumph.

The 36-year-old recapped some of the best moments in Qatar, which include his incredible assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands and his first goal against Mexico.