'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Home to the great Diego Maradona, Argentina has blessed us with many football stars over the years. As a team, La Albiceleste have not always managed to live up to the billing, but the potential has always been there.
Last year, Argentina won their first major international trophy since 1986, beating Brazil in the Copa America final. Their Copa campaign was not glamorous by any means, but they got the job done when needed.
Trending
At the end of 2022, Argentina will go for the biggest trophy in international football, the World Cup. In Qatar, they will need to bring their "A game" in order to outscore the best teams in the world.
At the World Cup, Argentina will need their forwards to fire on all cylinders and kill the game off before anxiety sets in. Thankfully, they have quite a few forwards in line who could make a splash at the grand event in Qatar later this year.
Today, we will take a quick look at five Argentine forwards who are showing positive signs early in 2022.
Here are the top five Argentine frontmen in the world right now:
#5 Paulo Dybala – Juventus
Juventus ace Paulo Dybala was meant to be one of the best players in the world when he first broke onto the scene. Unfortunately, the second-striker has had a hard time keeping injuries at bay, always missing crucial games due to untimely woes.
As a result, he has lacked consistency, rarely managing to register a ceiling-breaking season in Europe.
Dybala has missed quite a few matches this season, too, due to injuries, but his performances have not borne the brunt of the absences. The 28-year-old has scored 11 times and provided four assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for the Bianconeri in the current campaign.
If he keeps it up, he should get a timely call-up to the national side at the end of the year.
#4 Giovanni Simeone – Hellas Verona
Hellas Verona may not be a decorated name in world football, but they currently have one of the sharpest forwards at their disposal.
Verona striker Giovanni Simeone has been exceptional for the mid-table Serie A club this season, helping them punch above their weight more often than not.
The 26-year-old striker, son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, has scored 12 times in 22 Serie A games for Igor Tudor’s side.
He has also been quite good on the creative front, providing four assists.
#3 Angel Di Maria – Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain have assembled quite a squad this season. From Lionel Messi to Sergio Ramos, there is plenty of quality in every single position on the pitch. Competition for places is set to keep every player on their toes, and Angel Di Maria is no exception.
Fortunately for Di Maria, his versatility has come in handy, allowing him to make himself one of the first names on Mauricio Pochettino’s team sheet.
On the wrong side of 30, Di Maria has had to alternate between playing as an attacking midfielder and a right-winger. The former Real Madrid man has excelled in both roles, producing decisive performances time and again.
He has linked up well with his team-mates, defended set-pieces diligently, and has had quite a few goal involvements.
The 33-year-old has scored thrice and provided four assists for PSG in Ligue 1 this season.
He has also been in scorching form for his country in the World Cup Qualifiers. Di Maria recently netted Argentina's opener in a 2-1 victory over Chile in tense qualifying fixture.
#2 Lionel Messi – Paris Saint-Germain
PSG’s crown jewel Lionel Messi is arguably the best player in the world. The Argentina skipper, who won his seventh Ballon d’Or in November, can turn the game around in the blink of an eye.
He has produced quite a few decent performances for his new employers as well, especially in the Champions League. In the league, however, he has not had much luck in front of goal.
The Argentine maverick has scored only once in 12 French top-flight appearances this season. The 34-year-old has balanced out his disappointing goal-return in the league with six impressive assists.
In the Champions League, Messi has scored five goals in as many appearances for the club from the French capital.
Having recovered from COVID-19, the former Barcelona man is slowly regaining his fitness. Once he fully recovers, expect him to pay special attention to his Ligue 1 goal tally and give it a tangible boost.
#1 Lautaro Martinez - Inter Milan
Narrowly ahead of Messi, Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is the most in-form Argentine forward right now. For a long time, Martinez has been touted as the next big thing in Europe. If his recent performances are any indication, the centre-forward looks destined to fulfill that prediction this year.
Unlike most traditional strikers, Martinez is not just about scoring goals. He loves to bring others into play, is always prompt to drop back to defend, and is a relentless presser.
His intelligent movement regularly allows him to drift into dangerous areas and strike when the defenders are on their heels.
The Inter ace has scored 11 goals and provided two assists in the Italian top-flight this season. He also scored in the Nerazzurri’s 2-1 win over Juventus in the Italian Super Cup earlier this month.
Martinez, who is currently on national duty, is in pole position to lead Argentina's attack at the Qatar World Cup towards the end of the year.
He famously scored Argentina's winner in a 2-1 World Cup Qualifier win over Chile on Thursday night.
Also Read: 5 football clubs that sold the most jerseys in 2021
