Argentina enters the field early in the morning on a mission to win a record seventh title

Argentina is in the World Cup final again after three years, this time in the Under-20 World Cup. After a long 18 years, the most successful team in the competition has reached the final of this youth tournament. Argentina will take the field against Morocco at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago, Chile at 5 am Bangladesh time on Monday (October 20). If they win, they will have the honor of becoming champions for the record seventh time.

Argentina last won the Under-20 World Cup in Canada in 2007. Coached by Hugo Tocali and led by Diego Placent, several players from that team later became stars in European football, many of whom were also members of the senior team that won the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The biggest name in that team is undoubtedly Angelo Di Maria. He currently plays for his boyhood club Rosario Central. The star shone in Europe for clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG. He made his name in Argentina's history by scoring in both the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup finals with the national team jersey.

His teammate Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez was also in that title-winning team in 2007. Although he was in the squad for the Qatar World Cup, he was later banned for two years for taking a banned substance in a dope test. The 37-year-old Gomez currently plays for Italian Serie B club Calcio Padova.

The brightest star of that team was Sergio 'Kun' Aguero. He became the top scorer in the tournament with six goals in a brilliant performance. Under his leadership, Argentina retained the title by defeating the Czech Republic 2-1. However, in 2021, he had to retire suddenly due to irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). He is currently a streamer and e-sports entrepreneur with ‘KRU Esports’ and ‘Kunisports’.

Most of his teammates from that time are now retired. Stars like Federico Fazio, Pablo Piatti, Mauro Zarate have now retired from professional football after success with club and national teams.

However, about 48 percent of the players from that team are still active in professional football. Among them are Lanus icon Lautaro Acosta, Newell’s Old Boys captain Ever Banega and former national team goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who recently left Boca Juniors to join Argentinos Juniors.

After 18 years, Argentina’s young team has once again emerged on the world stage. Led by Placent, this time they have the same goal in front of them: the smile of the final, and the glory of becoming world champions for the seventh time.