Dybala omitted from Argentina's star-studded squad for Copa America Centenario
At the 2014 World Cup, Argentina's national team tasted heartbreak, stumbling at the final hurdle. It was a nearly identical story one year later, when a penalty shootout was all that kept La Albiceleste from winning the 2015 Copa America in another neighbouring country.
Understandably, Argentina's supporters will be praying that the football gods bless La Albiceleste at the Copa America Centenario and bring an end to a 23-year title drought.
On Friday, Gerardo Martino announced the 23 warriors who will represent Argentina at the Copa America Centenario in June, assembling a squad that boasts so much firepower, it's hard to envision any other team winning the competition.
#CopaAmérica ¿Ya conocés a los 23 elegidos de @Argentina para la Copa Centenario? https://t.co/MNqI2FuOPT pic.twitter.com/8g2nvB5ck8
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) May 20, 2016
The likes of Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and Gonzalo Higuain are all included, leaving no room for poor, young Paulo Dybala, who tallied 19 goals and nine assists in the 2015-16 Serie A season. Carlos Tevez, Angel Correa, and Mauro Icardi also failed to make the cut in controversial fashion.
10 - Paulo Dybala was the forward with the most chances created in the Serie A 15/16 (73). Striker. #OptaBest11 pic.twitter.com/8j2mzw8Nhl
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 19, 2016
Then there's Argentina's midfield, which features Javier Mascherano, who, unlike his role at Barcelona, takes the pitch as a holding midfielder for his national team. If 2018 World Cup qualifying is any indication, he'll play with Lucas Biglia to his right and Ever Banega to his left in a 4-3-3 formation.
There are always questions about Argentina's defence, and the Copa America Centenario will be no different. Martino's squad contains a new face in Victor Cuesta, a 27-year-old centre-back whose career is blossoming at Club Atletico Independiente, while Ezequiel Garay, arguably La Albiceleste's best defender at the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America, is nowhere to be found. Oh, and then there's Ramiro Funes Mori's questionable inclusion.
Of course, any player whose name was omitted from Argentina's squad for the Copa America Centenario may very well be called up to play at Rio 2016.
Argentina will play in Group D at the Copa America Centenario alongside Chile, Panama, and Bolivia,
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Club Tigres), Mariano Andujar (Estudiantes)
Defenders: Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Jonathan Maidana (River Plate), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Victor Cuesta (Club Atletico Independiente)
Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter (Atletico Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)