Argentina vs Austria: Top five players to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Lionel Messi & David Alaba

Lionel Messi is coming into this game after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria

Argentina and Austria will lock horns at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on June 22nd, 2026. The clash will be the second game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for both nations. La Albiceleste won 3-0 against Algeria in their opening game and are at the top of Group J. They are on a quest to retain their title and have established themselves as one of the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Austria, on the other hand, secured a 3-1 win against Jordan and are only behind Argentina based on goal difference. Austria is making their appearance at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998. A win for Austria will see them finish top of Group J and give them confidence heading into the knockout stages.

Considering the high stakes and the need for collective team performance, individual players on both sides will also have to step up. Therefore, in this article, we will take a look at the top 5 players to watch out for during the Argentina and Austria game.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Team of Matchday 1 ft. Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi & Yan Diomande

5. Cristian Romero (Argentina)

Despite him suffering a serious injury with Tottenham Hotspur during the tail-end of the season, Cristian Romero performed on an incredible level against Algeria. He is Argentina’s leader in defence and is one of their most important players. He has been at the centre of Argentina’s success under Lionel Scaloni. He forms an equally effective partnership with both Lisandro Martínez and Nicolás Otamendi at the back.

4. Romano Schmid (Austria)

Romano Schmid plays his club football for SV Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. He registered four goals and eight assists in the league campaign. He is one of Austria’s main creative outlets in the final third, and he can chip in with goals from time to time. Argentina will have to pay special attention to Schmid, as he is one of the most effective players in Austria’s front line.

3. Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina)

Argentina’s number seven has received a lot of criticism ever since he made his move to Inter Miami during the summer of 2025. Despite his inconsistencies on the club level, Rodrigo De Paul has been consistently excellent for the national team. He gave a fantastic line-breaking pass to Lionel Messi for Argentina’s first goal against Algeria and contributed on the defensive front as well.

2. David Alaba (Austria)

David Alaba is arguably Austria’s best-ever player. His entire career has been marked by success, with notable achievements at the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. His technical ability on the ball is amazing, and he is versatile enough to play as a full-back too. He can make a difference in the final third when he moves forward and is even a threat from set-piece situations.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Topping our list is the current top goalscorer of the FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi. La Pulga has a very strong case as the greatest football player of all time, and he showcased his brilliance on the world stage yet again against Algeria. He became the oldest player to score a hat-trick at the World Cup and is currently the joint all-time top scorer of the competition with Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

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