Strasbourg · CONMEBOL Libertadores · Midfielder · #32 · Argentina · 21 yrs
V. Barco plays as a midfielder for Strasbourg. V. Barco is a Argentine international, 21 years old, midfielder, currently at Strasbourg. V. Barco wears shirt number 32 for Strasbourg. V. Barco was born in 25 de Mayo, Argentina on 2004-07-23. V. Barco is 170 cm tall and weighs 66 kg. V. Barco's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across CONMEBOL Libertadores, UEFA Europa Conference League, Liga Profesional Argentina, Friendlies, and other leagues. V. Barco's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore V. Barco season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
Midfielder · #32
Strasbourg STRIt's not just about keeping players happy - Chelsea must also sell players to keep the books balanced. The £117m fee represents a substantial outlay on top of the £47m spent to sign full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta, as well as the potential arrivals of defenders Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano and Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. In addition, midfielder Valentin Barco is expected to join from Strasbourg, though Chelsea have yet to confirm the deal.
With today's 2026 World Cup final on deck, questions are already swirling over whether Lionel Messi and his supporting cast can defy the aging curve to return for the 2030 tournament. Lionel Messi has once again guided Argentina to a World Cup final, this time anchoring a deeply talented supporting cast during the 2026 tournament in North America. As fans and pundits immediately begin to wonder whether the legendary playmaker could realistically push for the 2030 World Cup, a look at the roster reveals a stark divide between core players who will still be in their athletic primes and veterans who are likely facing their international curtain call. Born on June 24, 1987, Messi was 38 years old when the 2026 tournament kicked off on June 11. Having successfully navigated a grueling group stage and knockout run all the way to the final, the Inter Miami star recently celebrated his 39th birthday on the pitch, continuing to defy typical aging curves with a masterclass of tournament orchestration. The 2030 World Cup will mark a unique centennial celebration, with the opening matches scheduled for June 8 and 9 in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay before the tournament moves entirely to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. By the time that tournament kicks off, Messi will be 42 years old, meaning that if the Albiceleste were to make another deep run with their captain on the roster, the icon would turn 43 before the final whistle. The overarching question is whether Messi will even be active by the turn of the decade. His current contract with MLS side Inter Miami runs through December 2028, at which point he will be 41 years old. When pressed on his longevity, the Argentine captain has consistently maintained that his future depends entirely on how his body feels, taking the exact same year-by-year approach that ultimately allowed him to feature in the 2026 cycle. Lautaro Martinez #22, Cristian Romero #13, Emiliano Martinez #23 and Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina sing the national anthem Argentina stars in their prime or approaching retirement? When looking at the roster flanking Messi, the squad dynamics will inevitably shift heavily before the 2030 cycle. The most definitive departure will be veteran center back Nicolas Otamendi, currently 38, who has already confirmed that this North American campaign represents his final appearance in the famous sky-blue and white jersey. Slightly younger foundational pieces will face their own race against time, including goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez (33), fullback Nicolas Tagliafico (33), and midfielders Leandro Paredes (32) and Rodrigo De Paul (32). While modern goalkeepers routinely excel well into their late 30s, the three outfield players have logged immense physical miles as the high-intensity engine room of Argentina’s modern golden era. Conversely, a dominant core of the current starting eleven will be entering their early 30s, right in the sweet spot of veteran experience. This includes Lisandro Martinez (28), Cristian “Cuti” Romero (28), Alexis Mac Allister (27), Lautaro Martinez (28), and Julian Alvarez (26), while rising talents like Nico Paz (21), Valentin Barco (21), and Giuliano Simeone (23) are poised to be fully established European stars by 2030. Projected ages for Argentina’s 2030 World Cup cycle PlayerAge in 2026 World CupAge in 2030 World CupEmiliano Martinez3337Juan Musso3236Geronimo Rulli3438Nahuel Molina2832Gonzalo Montiel2933Cristian Romero2832Lisandro Martinez2832Nicolas Otamendi3842Marcos Senesi2933Facundo Medina2731Nicolas Tagliafico3337Leandro Paredes3236Exequiel Palacios2731Giovani Lo Celso3034Valentin Barco2125Rodrigo De Paul3236Alexis Mac Allister2731Enzo Fernandez2529Giuliano Simeone2327Nico Paz2125Nicolas Gonzalez2832Thiago Almada2529Lionel Messi3943Julian Alvarez2630Lautaro Martinez2832Jose Manuel Lopez2529
Already qualified to the next round, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is planning several changes in Lionel Messi's squad for the last World Cup group stage game against Jordan. Following Lionel Messi‘s brace against Austria, Argentina has already secured its ticket to the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup with one group game left to spare. Set to face Jordan for Matchday 3, head coach Lionel Scaloni will be planning changes to the Albiceleste lineup for their final match of the group stage. The 2-0 win against Austria on Monday already punched Argentina‘s ticket to the next round, while Algeria’s subsequent 2-1 victory over Jordan locked up first place in Group J for Messi’s side. With the top spot secured, the upcoming match against the debuting Asian nation gives coach Scaloni a perfect opportunity to rotate his squad. During the press conference after the Austria match, Scaloni addressed how the early qualification impacts his tactical plans moving forward: “It doesn’t change anything for us. We all would have preferred to win both matches. Now we will analyze. There is still one left to be played between Jordan and Algeria. We will see the result. The idea is to give the majority (of the players) the chance to play, which they deserve. As long as the match allows for it, we will do so.“ According to TyC Sports journalist and team insider Gaston Edul, the remaining members of the 26-man roster who did not feature in the opening two games are expected to get playing time in the final game of the group stage against Jordan. Argentina’s substitutions during the game against Austria. Scaloni to rest starters and manage workloads The one forced change for Argentina involves defender Cristian Romero, who was substituted against Austria after feeling discomfort in his recently sprained right knee. Veteran Nicolas Otamendi replaced him in the 57th minute and is set to start against Jordan while the coaching staff waits for the Tottenham center-back to recover for the Round of 32. Other key names expected to feature are Nicolas Tagliafico and Julian Alvarez. Both players have seen limited action in the tournament due to recent physical issues, but they are back to full fitness and will test their form against Jordan. According to Edul, several depth players who haven’t logged any World Cup minutes yet will also get an opportunity. Marcos Senesi is expected to rotate into the backline, while Exequiel Palacios, Valentin Barco, and Giovani Lo Celso could anchor the midfield, with forward Jose Manuel Lopez potentially making his tournament debut. Will Messi play against Jordan? With qualification in the bag, Scaloni’s primary goal is to avoid unnecessary risks against Jordan, who sits at No. 72 in the FIFA rankings after their loss to Algeria. Despite the match being a dead rubber for Argentina, Lionel Messi could still make an appearance in what will be his first match since turning 39. TNT Sports journalist Maximiliano Grillo reports that Messi fully intends to play against Jordan this coming Saturday. The Argentine captain has always made it clear that he hates sitting out, and a few key factors are pushing him toward the starting lineup. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrating. First, this is Messi’s final World Cup, and coming off a blazing start with five goals in two matches, he wants to keep his offensive rhythm going. Additionally, there is an 11-day gap between the Austria match and the Round of 32 fixture, meaning Scaloni might start his captain simply to keep him sharp and avoid a long layoff without competitive minutes.
Argentina is beginning its title defense in the 2026 World Cup against Algeria, but Nicolas Tagliafico will be one of the main absences of the game. Argentina officially launches its title defense Tuesday night at Kansas City Stadium, opening Group J play against a dangerous Algeria squad. While the Albiceleste are expected to deploy a star-studded lineup to jumpstart their bid for back-to-back crowns, veteran defender Nicolas Tagliafico stands out as the most notable omission from the starting eleven. Tagliafico will miss the opener against Algeria due to a localized muscle injury. According to ESPN insider Diego Monroig, the Olympique Lyon left-back suffered a Grade I tear in his left soleus during training camp, severely limiting his participation in full squad sessions leading up to the match. The injury occurred while Argentina was refining its tactics at its Kansas City training base, immediately raising alarms within the coaching staff about defensive depth. Rather than replacing him on the roster, boss Lionel Scaloni elected to keep Tagliafico in the 26-man squad, aiming instead to have the reliable veteran fully recovered for Matchday 2 against Austria. Tagliafico’s sudden absence is a massive blow for Argentina, considering he was a defensive cornerstone during the team’s historic 2022 run in Qatar. While navigating separate squad injuries in the buildup to the tournament, Scaloni ultimately kept Tagliafico on board while flying in Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi as a late injury replacement for center-back Leonardo Balerdi. Nicolas Tagliafico #3 of Argentina. Who will start at left-back for Argentina? Fullback depth has loomed as one of the major question marks for Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the coaching staff largely leaning on the veteran core that triumphed four years ago. In a bold roster shakeup, Scaloni decided to leave veteran Marcos Acuña off the final tournament list entirely, a decision that leaves few natural alternatives on the left flank. For the opener against Algeria, Scaloni has handed the starting left-back duties to Marseille’s Facundo Medina. While Medina primarily operates as a central defender at the club level, he is a highly versatile option who has frequently filled in on the left side whenever called upon for international duty. Should Scaloni look to alter his tactical look mid-match, Valentin Barco offers a more attacking alternative down the flank. While the youngster has transitioned into a midfield role more recently, his early professional experience came as an overlapping left-back, making him an emergency option if Argentina needs to chase goals.
Chelsea are planning at least two major signings, with a possible third, but face a balancing act this summer. A further signing is expected to be Valentin Barco from partner club Strasbourg. The Argentina international has played primarily in central midfield over the past two seasons, but previously operated at left-back for Boca Juniors and Brighton.
Nicolas Gonzalez and Nicolas Tagliafico are causing concern for Argentina ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener. Argentina are just days away from beginning their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, but concerns over the fitness of several players have overshadowed preparations for their opening match. Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez are at the center of those worries. “Nicolas Tagliafico is dealing with a physical issue, and it remains unclear whether he will be available next Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City for the first Group J match,” prominent Argentine outlet Infobae reported on Thursday, in a story also cited by TyC Sports and ESPN. The 33-year-old left back suffered a knock to his calf during last Saturday’s friendly against Honduras, forcing him to leave the match at halftime. The issue persisted in the following days, preventing him from playing against Iceland on Tuesday. The slow pace of his recovery has raised concerns within the Argentina camp. The situation is further complicated by the fact that one of Tagliafico’s potential replacements is also dealing with fitness problems. Nicolas Gonzalez filled in at left back during the second half against Iceland and is now facing physical concerns of his own. Lionel Scaloni, Head Coach of Argentina. “Nico Gonzalez is also not fully fit and has become another question mark, considering his recent injury history,” Infobae added. The Atletico Madrid player missed the final stretch of the season in Spain with a muscle injury that also prevented him from training alongside his Argentina teammates during the first days of camp. Argentina’s options at left back For the past four years, Nicolas Tagliafico has been Argentina’s first-choice left back. He started the 2022 World Cup final against France and has remained a regular fixture in Lionel Scaloni’s squad ever since. With his availability for the match against Algeria now in doubt, the head coach must consider alternatives on the left side of defense. The leading option is Facundo Medina, who played there against Iceland. However, his natural position is center back, and using him as a fullback is viewed primarily as an emergency solution. Argentina have three other players in the squad capable of filling Tagliafico’s role. One is the aforementioned Nicolas Gonzalez, although his availability for next Tuesday is also uncertain due to fitness concerns. Another option is Valentin Barco, who originally played as a left back but was converted into a midfielder at RC Strasbourg, where his performances earned him a place in the national team. The third possibility is the most recent addition to Argentina’s World Cup roster: Marcos Senesi. The defender, who impressed for Bournemouth last season, received a late call-up from Scaloni to replace the injured Leonardo Balerdi and is expected to join Argentina training in the coming hours. Although he is primarily a center back, being left-footed also gives him the ability to play at left back, undoubtedly one of the reasons behind his selection.
Messi's appearance, his sharpness on the ball, and a remarkable achievement reached during the match ensured that the evening in Alabama became far more significant than a routine pre-tournament friendly. Lionel Messi gave Argentina exactly what it wanted to see ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The captain returned from a recent fitness concern, found the net shortly after coming off the bench, and helped the defending champion secure a comfortable victory over Iceland in its final warm-up match before the tournament. The result itself was encouraging, but there was an even bigger storyline unfolding beneath the surface. Messi’s appearance, his sharpness on the ball, and a remarkable achievement reached during the match ensured that the evening in Alabama became far more significant than a routine pre-tournament friendly. Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 in Auburn, Alabama, with goals from Valentín Barco, Lionel Messi, and Thiago Almada. The world champion controlled large stretches of the match and ended its preparation schedule on a positive note. Lionel Scaloni opted to manage the workload of several key players. Messi, along with Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister, started the match on the bench as Argentina continued its cautious approach ahead of the competition. Iceland threatened early when Mikael Ellertsson missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Argentina quickly took control afterward, and Barco broke the deadlock when a loose ball fell kindly for him on the edge of the area. Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the international friendly match between Argentina and Iceland The South American side remained patient throughout the first half. Iceland defended with discipline, but Argentina continued to create opportunities and gradually increased the pressure. Messi returns and changes the game The biggest roar of the night arrived when Messi stepped onto the pitch during the closing stages. After concerns surrounding muscle fatigue suffered while playing for Inter Miami, supporters were eager to see whether the captain was fully ready for another World Cup campaign. The answer arrived almost immediately. Within moments of entering the match, Messi played a superb pass that led to Lautaro Martínez being fouled inside the penalty area. The 38-year-old superstar stepped forward and calmly converted from the spot. The goal extended Argentina’s advantage and removed any lingering doubts about his readiness for the tournament. Con la primera pelota de Messi en el juego… ¡PENAL PARA ARGENTINA! ⚽❗ Lo cobra Messi, Argentina aumenta la ventaja 2-0 ante Islandia en el amistoso. pic.twitter.com/HztiSby31x— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) June 10, 2026 His influence did not stop there. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner later helped create Argentina’s third goal, combining with Rodrigo De Paul before Thiago Almada finished the move to complete a convincing victory. The historic record revealed While the goal helped secure the result, it also carried historic significance. Messi’s strike was his 117th goal in an Argentina shirt and his 199th international appearance. More importantly, it made him the oldest goalscorer in Argentina national team history, breaking a record that had stood for 69 years. The previous mark belonged to Angel Labruna, who scored for Argentina against Brazil in 1957 at the age of 38 years and nine months. Messi surpassed that achievement at 38 years, 11 months, and 18 days old, adding yet another milestone to an extraordinary international career. The record further highlights the longevity that has defined Messi’s career. Nearly two decades after making his senior debut, he continues to deliver decisive moments for his country on football’s biggest stages.
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