With the FIFA World Cup 2026 only a 12 months away, many of the world’s prime nationwide groups have a reasonably clear image of the squad they’ll take to subsequent summer time’s event. Argentina isn’t any exception, led by Lionel Messi and aiming to defend their title. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless rising stars awaiting their alternative — together with Serie A standout Matias Soule, who can also be being intently tracked by Italy.
The 22-year-old winger has been making a reputation for himself in Italian soccer, significantly since becoming a member of AS Roma. However his robust performances haven’t but earned him a call-up from Lionel Scaloni to characterize Argentina, fueling hypothesis that he may as an alternative decide to the Azzurri.
In gentle of the rising rumors, Soule addressed the state of affairs publicly and confirmed that the studies are true. “Italian Federation approached me twice,” the younger star mentioned, in line with reporter Fabrizio Romano on X this week.
Nevertheless, Matias was fast to disclose his reply to Italy’s proposal. “I thank them however I need to play for Argentina,” he mentioned, making it clear that his determination stays agency regardless of the frustration of not being a part of the squad for now. “I preserve working and preventing to be a part of Argentina squad.”
Alejandro Garnacho and Matias Souleduring a coaching session with Argentina.
Soule’s rise in Serie A
A product of Velez Sarsfield’s youth academy, Matias Soule moved to Italy at simply 16 to hitch Juventus in early 2020. After a short spell with the membership’s youth groups, he made his skilled debut throughout the 2021–22 season and went on to make 21 appearances and rating one purpose over two years.
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Nevertheless, restricted alternatives with the Vecchia Signora led to a mortgage transfer to Frosinone, the place he flourished with 11 objectives in 39 matches. That breakout season earned him widespread consideration in Serie A and prompted Roma to signal him in 2024 for $32 million. Since then, he has scored eight objectives in 47 matches and established himself as a key participant for the membership.
Why Soule hasn’t damaged into Argentina’s senior workforce
Regardless of his spectacular kind in Serie A — and the clear promise he has proven — Soule has but to discover a place within the Argentina nationwide workforce. He was a part of the 2023 U-20 World Cup squad and obtained a senior call-up in 2021, however has but to make his official debut. In recent times, he hasn’t even been included within the squad by Scaloni.
That is largely as a result of intense competitors for his place. As a left-footed winger who prefers to play on the suitable flank, Soule’s position on the sector straight overlaps with that of Lionel Messi. That makes his possibilities of cracking the lineup extraordinarily slim — particularly contemplating that different gifted younger gamers are dealing with the identical dilemma.
In reality, simply days in the past, Scaloni was requested about Nicolas Paz and Franco Mastantuono — two rising gamers who additionally occupy that place. “They’re younger gamers who, in the intervening time, don’t have a spot within the beginning eleven,” the coach admitted.
That evaluation additionally seems to use to Soule. In response to current rumors a few potential Italy call-up, Scaloni made his stance clear: “I don’t suppose it’s attainable; he’s been in our sights for fairly some time…We see him as the way forward for Argentina.”
