The elimination marks the end of a generation in Argentina. And Messi?

The Argentinian generation that finished second in the 2014 World Cup and the Americas Cup in 2015 and 2016 gave its last breath when it was eliminated by France on Saturday. It is quite possible that some of its representatives will be at the Copa America in 2019 in Brazil, but most of them will hardly go to Qatar in 2022.

Lionel Messi, 31 years old and still looking for his first title with the main selection, should order the next generation. But there is also the fear that he gives up being summoned after failing for the fourth time in the World Cup, in addition to having accumulated four finals lost with the Alviceleste jersey – the three recent and the Copa America in 2004. The did not give interview after the defeat of France in Kazan

Paulo Dybala, 24, and Giovani Lo Celso, 22, are candidates for the next generation's highlights. The first has a great time at Juventus (ITA) and has only been used in the second half against Croatia, while the latter is of course on PSG (FRA) and neither of them has been able to win. entered the peloton. Salvio (27), Acuña (26), Meza (26), Tagliafico (25) and especially Pavón (22) are others who could appear in many selections.

Javier Mascherano, said goodbye as soon as the game against the French came to an end. In addition to having accompanied Messi at the last four World Cups, he lost five finals with the South American jersey (Copa América in 2004, 2007, 2015 and 2016 and World Cup 2014), symbol of this team. who could not finish the title quickly Biglia, 32, was another to announce that he would not defend the colors of the country after having participated in two World Cups and having lost the three finals of the last years.

Three of the Sampaoli attackers led to Russia are also medallions (or "historical", as they say in Argentina): Di María, Aguero and Higuaín are 30 years old and have been in the last three World Cups, in addition of the two Copa America vices. They live good times in their clubs, but they will be 34 years old in 2022 and will have to compete with young athletes, as Aguero said.

Marcos Rojo completes the list of those who have been in the three vices of recent years but have not yet entered (aged 28) and can dream of participating in his third World Cup.

Midfielder Ever Banega, 30, can also be considered a representative of the old guard. He was not named for the 2014 World Cup, but he was in charge of 2015 and 2016 and the reversal of 2018, a situation similar to that of defender Otamendi, who is about the same age .

Enzo Pérez, 32 years old in Brazil in 2014 and was not called to the Americas Cup of 2015 and 2016, but was called at the last minute for the current World Cup because from Lanzini's injury.

The right-back Gabriel Mercado, 31, lives the opposite situation: he did not go to the 2014 World Cup, but he was at the Americas Cup and in Russia. Ansaldi left-back and defender Fazio were newcomers to the team, but they are also 30 (both have 31). Goaltenders Caballero (36), Guzman (32) and Armani (31) complete the team. Romero, owner of the position that did not go to Russia because he was injured, has 31.