Argentina squad to welcome Ecuador, according to a journalist who followed Messi in Qatar and Miami

Gastón Edul rose to fame covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which Argentina won last December with Lionel Messi at the helm. He was also the journalist who covered the Albiceleste star’s landing in Miami and subsequent debut with Inter in the League Cup last August. He is a special envoy TyC Sports wherever Messi and the Albiceleste team travel.

This Thursday morning, Edul, as he is characterized, advanced what coach Lionel Scaloni’s team will be for the debut in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Under three wands, the name Emiliano I drew it Martínez is a fixed player, while in front of him and in the line of four defenders are Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Nicolás Tagliafico who will be part of the game because Marcos Acuña is injured. In the midfield, especially in his axis, Enzo Fernández will put all his vision and composure to the first pass, while Alexis Mac Allister will work as a trainee, together with the Argentinian driver Rodrigo de Paulo.

Attack trident, with captain Lionel Messi has a surprise: the coach will leave Ángel Di María out of the starting eleven so that Nicolás González can take the field from zero minutes. The said decision seems to indicate that when the Argentine team does not have the ball, they will form a 4-4-2, with the Fiorentina man joining the midfielders to cover the projection of the Ecuadorian full-backs.

Lautaro Martínez, the symbol of Inter who is experiencing a big moment, runs with an advantage in front of Julián Álvarez and it seems that he will be the ‘9’.

This is the formation of Argentina vs. Ecuador, according to Gastón Edul: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis McAllister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Nicolás González. (D)

South American qualifiers 2026