5 Attacking players that could be important for Argentina if Messi retires

It is no exaggeration to suggest that Lionel Messi will go down as one of Argentina's greatest ever players. Two things can be true at the same time, therefore its also true that his time as La Albiceleste's main man has been one of the near-misses and finalist agonies.

La Pulga Atomica (The Atomic Flea) is the team's greatest ever goalscorer with 65 goals in 128 appearances. However, the pathetic displays by the team at the World Cup in Russia have led to cries for regeneration which might affect his decision to return to the national set-up.

While Messi wasn't at his effervescent best at the Mundial, he and the team were not helped by ex-manager Jorge Sampaoli's scatter-brain tactics and choices.

A lot of La Albiceleste's old guard have underperformed for years while wearing the country's colours. Sergio Aguero Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria are among the big-name stars who have consistently failed to deliver for their nation.

New manager, Lionel Scaloni has made it clear that he intends to forge a new identity for the team with a new set of players. With the Copa America coming up in 2019 and Messi's future still unclear, a new set of attacking talent will have to take the reins.

Here is a look at 5 young-ish talents that could be critical for Argentina in the near future:

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#5 Giovani Lo Celso

Lo Celso can provide the much-needed guile in midfield

Argentina has lacked a quality central midfielder since the heydays of Juan Sebastian Veron and before him, Fernando Redondo.

Ever Banega was supposed to be the anointed one to replace the aforementioned duo. However, inconsistencies have marred the talented player's Argentina career and for now, he looks done for at international level.

Enter Lo Celso. Before the Mundial, it was expected that the player would man the central midfield role alongside Javier Mascherano to provide balance for the team. However, Sampaoli's befuddling tactics meant he never saw any action in Russia.

The 22-year-old had looked a talent during his very brief stay at Rosario Central. His performances earned him a €8.5m move to PSG. Under Unai Emery, he was played in a defensive midfield role where he was an absolute disaster.

He has rediscovered his best form under the enigmatic Quique Setien on loan at Real Betis. His passing, vision, ability to dictate the tempo will be key for Argentina going forward, this explains why he has been a key player in all of the team's matches under Scaloni.

No other Argentine midfielder looks capable of providing the nous from midfield like Lo Celso, Albiceleste fans will be hoping that he becomes more Redondo than Banega.

#4 Lautaro Martínez

Scaloni will be hoping Martínez does better than Aguero ever did

A player very much in the mould of Argentina's famous breadbox strikers i.e forward players whose height is under 6 feet (Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Ezequiel Lavezzi among others).

He has been making headlines for Racing Club, scoring goals and impressing with his work ethos and trickery. Described as the perfect hybrid of Aguero and Higuain, combining their best qualities into one lethal package, he will play a key role for Argentina going forward.

Following his €22.7m move to Inter Milan in the summer, manager Luciano Spalletti has taken his time easing the 21-year-old into the team. Despite his limited playing time, he has hit 2 goals and made 1 assist for the Nerazzurri in less than 400 minutes of game time.

How he dovetails with fellow Argentine, Mauro Icardi will be interesting to see. Scaloni will be hoping it happens a lot as that would be to the benefit of the national team. Blessed with pace, amazing aerial ability (for a 1.74m player), dribbling and excellent technique, Martínez is one that Argentines will be hoping does more for the national team than Aguero, Tevez, and Lavezzi ever did.

#3 Rodrigo De Paul

De Paul (in black) looks like Di Maria's ready-made replacement

It has taken a while but it seems a light has finally come on in this very talented player's head. He had turned heads when he started out for hometown club, Racing in the 2012-2013 season.

De Paul's close control, pace, dribbling, and intelligence stood him out and helped hasten the departure of veteran Mauro Camoranesi. A €5m move to Valencia followed in 2014 but it was a failure.

Now fully established as Udinese's go-to guy, the 24-year-old has been electric this season for the Zebrette. With 6 goals and 3 assists so far in Serie A football, he is operating on a different level at the moment.

He has featured in three games under Scaloni and has looked impressive in batches. It is clear to see that La Albiceleste would benefit greatly from De Paul's directness, intelligence dribbling and an ability to stretch defences and create chances for teammates. The team has been crying out for a more effective winger since Di Maria's loss of form (3 years and counting).

With the Udinese star in the team, Scaloni can afford to do without the services of the PSG man.

#2 Mauro Icardi

Argies will be hoping Icardi is more Batistuta than Higuain

Argentina has had many big-name strikers over the years. However, the last striker who was truly great for the national team would be Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo. Since these two retired, the national team has been populated by strikers who are world class for their clubs but absolute pants for La Albiceleste (Higuain, Tevez, Aguero et al).

The nation will be hoping that Icardi goes down the Batigol route rather than the Higuain route. The 25-year-old was a shock omission from the 23-man team Sampaoli took to Russia 2018. He was dropped despite finishing as Serie A's joint-capocannoniere last season with Lazio's Ciro Immobile (both with 29 goals).

Scaloni has quickly moved to integrate the Inter Milan captain into his new-look Argentine team. Icardi scored his first goal for his country in last month's 2-0 friendly win over Mexico.

His finishing is world-class as is his technique, hold-up play, and work rate. With players like Dybala, Martinez, De Paul playing off him, Icardi could be the latest great number 9 in a long line for Argentina.

#1 Paulo Dybala

Dybala looks likely to replace Messi as Argentina's go-to guy

For a very long time, Argentine football searched for the natural successor to Diego Maradona. Pablo Aimar, Ariel Ortega. Andreas D'Alessandro among others bore the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the number 10 jersey for the nation.

So many quality players were judged harshly simply for wearing Maradona's jersey. That is until the arrival of Messi on the stage. Now with Argentina's all-time record scorer unsure about his international future, the stage seems set for the baby-faced Dybala to step in.

Affectionately named La Joya (The Jewel), the Juventus ace remains an enigma at both club and national level. For all his obvious qualities, there still seems to be something missing in his game; that I-belong-at-the-top mentality that the world's greatest players possess in spades.

Blessed with a sweet left foot, superb finishing and quick-thinking, Dybala remains the obvious choice to step into Messi's very large shoes. He has been accused of going missing in the big games for his club; Juventus. This is something he will need to work on if he wishes to become La Albiceleste's go-to guy.

Aged 25, he can no longer hide and must show that he has what it takes to become the team's central figure. Dybala will need to improve an abysmal goalscoring record for Argentina (1 in 18 games).

To be fair, most of his appearances have come off the bench. Scaloni has shown a willingness to trust him. He has featured in almost all of Argentina's games post Russia 2018 where he only made one substitute appearance.

Dybala has the quality, whether he can deliver what the team needs to replace Messi's goals, assists and leadership will become obvious over time.