The youth who saw a chance to debut at the Major after the Under-20s misses Argentina’s world championship party
The Argentina national team will mark a major milestone with celebrations tied to the start of the World Cup cycle in Qatar 2022 during the opening FIFA date of the year. Friendly matches scheduled against Panama in the Monumental and against Curaçao in the Madre de Ciudades will serve as both a festive prelude to the anticipated third star and a proving ground for the new generation of players who could join the world champions in the near future, under the guidance of Lionel Scaloni.
The Argentina lineup against Panama
Among those generating significant anticipation is Alejandro Garnacho, a winger born in Spain to an Argentine mother. Garnacho earned a notable opportunity to make his Major League debut after progressing through the Under-20s, yet he could not join the squad for the planned fixtures.
WHY GARNACHO DID NOT PLAY AGAINST PANAMA AND CURACAO
While the attacker has not finalized his national allegiance—whether to represent Argentina or his homeland—this second call-up from Scaloni marked another step for Garnacho, who is widely viewed as one of the world’s brightest young prospects. He was recently highlighted among GOAL’s NXGN Nine, a list recognizing the top young talents to watch for Argentina in the national team setup.
There was also a strong expectation that Garnacho would make his first official appearance in the world champions’ jersey during this period. However, a setback occurred: on Sunday, March 12, during Manchester United versus Southampton, he suffered a serious foul from Kyle Walker-Peters, resulting in a sprained right ankle ligament. United confirmed the injury would require approximately six weeks of recovery, with a longer rehabilitation plan to follow.
Although there was speculation that Garnacho might still participate in the Qatar title celebration, the player himself stated on social media that he would not be with the team for the match. He expressed disappointment at missing the chance to be with his Argentina teammates and family, describing it as a proud moment he would have cherished.
Citation: Goal