One month on: Olé maps the Scaloneta’s club journeys after the Mundial

One month after the Mundial final, Olé reviews the current status of every player from the Argentina Selección, known as the Scaloneta, highlighting how the squad’s members have fared at their clubs since the 19 July loss to España in the weeks that followed.

A month has passed since the tournament ended, a period in which the Selección reunited the nation with memorable matches and relentless fighting until the final whistle. The Olé piece even repeats the Spanish word Lo as part of its narrative.

Goalkeepers and early returns

Emiliano Martínez has not returned to Aston Villa after his post‑World Cup holidays, missing pre‑season and the UEFA Super Cup final against PSG, which the French side won 2‑1.

Juventus opened negotiations for Martínez before the World Cup but failed to reach an agreement with the Villans, who also signed Zion Suzuki to compete for the goalkeeper spot.

Juan Musso rejoined Atlético Madrid on Monday 10 August, signing a contract that runs until mid‑2028 and will compete with Jan Oblak for the starting role.

Gerónimo Rulli, aged 34, left Olympique de Marseille for Manchester City on a two‑year deal reportedly worth €3.5 million and was an unused substitute in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal.

Defensive reshuffles across clubs

Nahuel Molina transferred to Roma for €19 million plus variables, signing until mid‑2030 and already featured in the second half of a friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

Gonzalo Montiel made himself available to River Plate, played five Clausura matches, scored against Argentinos and then suffered a left adductor strain that sidelines him for the first leg of the Sudamericana tie with Independiente Santa Fe.

PSG drawn against Barcelona and Manchester City in Champions League

Lisandro Martínez returned to Manchester United’s pre‑season in Ireland on 11 August and entered the second half of the friendly versus Milan, a match the Red Devils lost 4‑2; Marcos Senesi, after his Bournemouth contract expired, signed with Tottenham until mid‑2030, joined training in late July and featured in the 3‑0 win over Hoffenheim, a game described by Roberto De Zerbi as a possible Premier League debut.

Facundo Medina left Olympique de Marseille for Bayer Leverkusen, which paid €25 million; he could debut on Saturday when Leverkusen face Wehen Wiesbaden in the German Cup first round, while Nicolás Tagliafico returned to Olympique Lyon, has not yet played in any friendly and his side is fighting for a Champions League place after a 1‑1 draw with Fenerbahçe.

Midfield and attack: contracts and debuts

Cristian Romero left Tottenham after four years, joining Atlético Madrid for €40 million on a contract until mid‑2031; he has not yet debuted for the Colchonero, with coach Diego Simeone saying he will need adaptation despite noting “there is no time”.

Nicolás Otamendi, confirmed for River Plate before the World Cup, has continued as captain, completing the full 90 minutes in each of the five Clausura matches.

Leandro Paredes arrived in Argentina shortly after the final, started the first‑leg of the Sudamericana round of 16 for Boca Juniors against O’Higgins and later missed a match against Riestra due to a muscular injury that also ruled him out of the return leg against Recoleta.

Rodrigo De Paul signed with Inter Miami at the end of July, trained once and then featured in five official games – two MLS and three Leagues Cup – and will play Wednesday against Philadelphia Union in the local tournament; Enzo Fernández returned to Chelsea after World Cup speculation linking him with Real Madrid, made his first appearance in a friendly versus Real Sociedad where he received mixed boos and cheers and was labelled “public enemy number one” by the English press, while Manchester City also showed interest but he is set to stay in London as captain under Xabi Alonso, and Alexis Mac Allister joined Liverpool on 10 August, received a special welcome and played on Sunday in the first of the Reds’ friendlies against Como.

Monaco hosts Champions League draw as French clubs await their fate

Julián Álvarez remains a hot transfer target; after expressing a desire to leave Atlético Madrid during the World Cup, he returned to training on 10 August, but Barcelona’s €500 million release clause and contract until mid‑2030 mean the club is unwilling to sell, and he will miss the La Liga opener against Málaga and the recent friendlies.

Lautaro Martínez returned to Inter, posted on social media “Por noveno año con el mismo deseo y ambición de siempre”, played half a friendly against Real Betis and is set to feature on Saturday as captain when Inter Milan hosts Monza.

Lionel Messi spent a few days in Rosario with his family during his father’s health issue, returned to Inter Miami, trained briefly and then played officially, scoring two goals and providing an assist in a Leagues Cup match before traveling back to Argentina for a family funeral; he rejoined Inter, was on the bench and entered the game the same day he arrived in the United States, started again in the loss to Nashville and will face Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.

Exequiel Palacios’ future remains undecided; although under contract with Bayer Leverkusen until mid‑2030, Premier League side Ipswich Town is close to completing a deal. Valentín Barco’s move from Racing Strasbourg to Chelsea was confirmed in early May, but he was only presented in London in early August, has trained with the squad alongside Enzo Fernández and has yet to make an appearance for the Blues. Giovani Lo Celso returned to Real Betis but missed all pre‑season friendlies due to physical issues and will compete in the Champions League with the Spanish club. Nico Paz activated his €60 million purchase option for Real Madrid during the World Cup, rejoined training and played in the second friendly on Sunday against Liverpool. Thiago Almada completed a €20 million transfer from Atlético Madrid to River, the most expensive Argentine domestic deal, and debuted as a starter in River’s Clausura win over Argentinos. Nicolás González finished his loan at Atlético Madrid, returned to Juventus, but his future in Italy is uncertain as he wishes to move back to Spain while training with the Vecchia Signora. Giuliano Simeone stayed at Atlético Madrid, returned to training a week before the World Cup‑era players’ scheduled friendly, started against Olympique Marseille and was substituted at the 35th minute after a hard foul.