Argentina vs Panama: After winning the historic World Cup in Qatar last year, Argentina will play its first competitive game in a friendly fixture against Panama. This game is also special for fans because it will be played at El Monumental. 1.5 millions of fans tried to purchase the tickets. This is the madness of Lionel Messi and his WC-winning side. Follow Argentina vs Panama LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
It’s just an international friendly but the crowd of around 83000 will witness the first game of the World Cup-winning team. Lionel Messi will take part in this game. The Argentina skipper has reached for training and he will be in action.
Argentina Team Preview
Argentina are now FIFA World Cup and Copa America champions. Messi won both trophies in space of 15 months. They beat Brazil in the final of Copa America and beat France in the World Cup final. Lionel Scaloni was the manager who helped Argentina to win their major WC trophy after 36 years. The youngest manager at the 2022 World Cup got a new contract until 2026. Argentina will defend its title in the next World Cup under Lionel Scaloni.
La Albiceleste will also face Curacao in their second friendly game. Argentina are ranked second behind Brazil in the FIFA World Rankings. They have played against Panama twice and both times, Argentina were on the winning side. Messi scored a second-half hattrick when he last played against this side.
Lionel Scaloni’s men have lost just one of their last 44 matches across all tournaments and the defeat came against Saudi Arabia at the World Cup.
#SelecciónMayor El operativo de la Ciudad por el partido de #Argentina 🇦🇷 – #Panamá 🇵🇦
📝https://t.co/SxJskgX7CY pic.twitter.com/sGJPkiltVs
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 22, 2023
Panama Team Preview
Panama will forget their previous unsuccessful journey to World Cup 2022. Los Canaleros made into the FIFA event for the first time in 2018 but failed to achieve the same in Qatar. They finished fifth in the CONCACAF qualifications with six wins out of 14 matches.
Panama have won only three of their last 10 games across all competitions. Their team is managed by former Leeds United boss Thomas Christensen. He has picked first-division-based players, and he will not be there due to his availability in the Costa Rica game.
Will WC-winning captain Lionel Messi Play Tonight in Argentina vs Panama friendly clash? CHECK possibility of PSG superstar making into Starting 11 & Probable XIs in ARG vs PAN
Will Messi play against Panama today?
Argentina announced their 34-man squad for the international break and the Player of the Tournament in World Cup 2022, Lionel Messi will feature in the starting XI. The 35-year-old is just two goals away from reaching the 100-goal milestone with La Albiceleste.
Angel di Maria came back from retirement and could join Messi in the attack. Alejandro Garnacho and Papu Gomez are sidelined to ankle injuries.
Argentina vs Panama Possible XI
Argentina Possible XI: Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria
Panama Possible XI: Guerra; Anderson, Ramos, Peralta, Farina, Galvan; Murillo, Camargo, Quintero; Cordoba, Stephens
Will WC-winning captain Lionel Messi Play Tonight in Argentina vs Panama friendly clash? CHECK possibility of PSG superstar making into Starting 11 & Probable XIs in ARG vs PAN
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