ARGENTINA

Lionel Messi's footballing bodyguard. When he played for Racing and during his early years in Europe, De Paul was an attacking midfielder who stood out primarily for his creativity. But under Scaloni's guidance with the national team he has been transformed into a box-to-box player with great physical attributes - his nickname is Motorcito, Little Engine – key to the team's balance. As for his personality, he likes to visit his old neighborhood in Sarandí when he comes to Argentina, he's fun and outgoing (his humor is very important to the group), and he is a self-declared fashion fanatic: the varied looks he sports at each call-up often generate a lot of comments on social media. He's in a relationship with the famous Argentinian singer Tini Stoessel and currently plays for Inter Miami alongside his great friend Messi, after a four-year stint at Atlético Madrid.

To become the best in the world (and, for many, the greatest in history), Messi had to spend his teenage years away from home. Since Newell's Old Boys couldn’t afford the growth hormone treatment he needed, he moved from Rosario to Barcelona, with his father Jorge, at the age of 13 for a trial. By the time he left to join Paris St-Germain 21 years later, he had won seven Ballons d’Or and the hearts of the world. To his innate talent, he had to add a mental fortitude that proved crucial throughout his career – especially in never giving up after losing finals with the national team, which he endured at the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa Américas. This resilience ultimately led him to guide his country to two continental titles and to the pinnacle of success in Qatar. He will turn 39 during the group stage, and is now spending the final years of his professional career at Inter Miami, where he is also part of the club’s ownership group. There, he is surrounded by friends football has given him, such as Luis Suárez, and is enjoying his 'last dance' while helping build a new era for the club, including a stadium that will feature a stand named in his honour.

Romero is one of the most respected figures in the current Argentinian national team. With an aggressive style of play and outstanding technical ability, he quickly earned the admiration of Argentinian fans and also of Tottenham, where he plays today and serves as the team captain. Nicknamed Cuti since infancy (because at the time his sister Aldana couldn’t say his actual name) he marries speed in anticipating plays with excellence in one-on-one duels with the added bonus of bringing a goal threat from set-pieces. He emerged from the youth divisions of Club Atlético Belgrano de Córdoba, but his career took off in Italy, where he played for Genoa and Atalanta – but not, despite being on their books for a couple of years, Juventus – before making the leap to the Premier League. He was one of Lionel Scaloni’s key players in the conquests of the two Copa Américas, the Finalissima, and the World Cup in Qatar.

Martínez is one of the most important and beloved players in the history of the Argentinian national team. He quickly won over the fans with his charisma and cunning on the pitch, in addition to his achievements as a two-time Copa América champion, a World Cup winner, and a Finalissima champion. His penalty shootout heroics and outstanding saves – such as the famous stop against Randal Kolo Muani in the World Cup final against France – have turned him into a fan idol. His effusive celebrations have gone viral worldwide and are often imitated by supporters. Nicknamed Dibu since childhood, because of his resemblance to the main character from the Argentinian animated series Mi Familia es un Dibujo (My Family is a Drawing), he began his career at Independiente but signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in the Premier League. His path was not easy, as he went through several loan spells before finally earning a move to his current club, Aston Villa – becoming the most expensive Argentinian goalkeeper in history in the process – and a starting spot in the national team. He is a player who openly expresses his emotions and brings attention to mental health, often highlighting the importance of working with a psychologist throughout his career.