Argentina’s XI in World Cup final vs France and where they are now after one year

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 1986 Diego Maradona-inspired triumph in Mexico.

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

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.

4. Cristian Romero
The hard-hitting centre-backs formed a formidable partnership with Otamendi. Romero has remained with Tottenham 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.

8. Alexis Mac Allister
Mac Allister made the team to Qatar after Giovanni Lo Celso's injury, and he 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 FIFA Best and a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or.

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.