Fifa World Cup: Argentina Group C Preview

Lionel Messi has been to the World Cup four times before. He was a fringe member of the squad in 2006 and expected to be a catalyst four years later. Messi led Argentina to their first Copa America success since 1993 last year. Argentina play Saudi Arabia in their opening game of Fifa World cup on Tuesday.

Argentina are in Group C with Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia. Argentina won silver in Brazil 2014 but they underwhelmed in the knockout stage. Jorge Sampaoli's team were a mess under him. They drew with Iceland, lost to Croatia and Nigeria and conceded more goals than they scored.

Argentina are unbeaten in 35 matches and won their first continental title in 28 years little more than 12 months ago. Lionel Messi is playing for Argentina for the first time since his Barcelona exit. Every one of Argentina's 26 players is a professional footballer. Argentina are playing in their fourth World Cup. They are also playing their fifth World cup in Qatar. Argentina play Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 22 November at 1 pm GMT. Mexico play Mexico on Wednesday 22 Nov at 4 pm. Poland play Poland on Saturday 26 November.