Messi, Mascherano to Higuain: Argentina’s 2014 World Cup finalists – Where are they now?

Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball award despite losing the final to the Germany world cup 2014.
Argentina’s 2014 World Cup finalists at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro was a night that Lionel Messi would never want to recall.

Argentina had a golden lucky chance to win their third World Cup at their rivals Brazil’s courtyard. But it turned into a bad dream as they stray the final 1-0 to Germany. It was a close and nervy final with both Argentina and Germany battle neck-to-neck. And both sides had the scope to win the match in normal time. Argentina had three great goalscoring opportunities in the match which fell to Gonzalo Higuain, Rodrigo Palacio and Messi himself but all three Possibilities were wasted and Mario Gotze scored the fateful goal that gave Germany their fourth World Cup 2014.

Argentina’s 2014 World Cup finalists

Funny thing, it was at the Maracana, the venue of the 2014 final, that Messi would finally win an international trophy for Argentina – the 2023 Copa America.
Let’s take a look at the players who donned the Argentina shirt in the 2014 World Cup final opposition Germany.

Sergio Romero – GK

Argentina had a golden lucky chance to win their third World Cup at their rivals Brazil’s courtyard. But it turned into a bad dream as they stray the final 1-0 to Germany. It was a close and nervy final with both Argentina and Germany battle neck-to-neck. And both sides had the scope to win the match in normal time. Argentina had three great goalscoring opportunities in the match which fell to Gonzalo Higuain, Rodrigo Palacio and Messi himself but all three Possibilities were wasted and Mario Gotze scored the fateful goal that gave Germany their fourth World Cup 2014.

Argentina’s 2014 World Cup finalists

Sergio Romero, who was Argentina’s first goalkeeper at the Olympics, went on to play 96 international matches for the senior team. Romero, At present a free agent, was by Manchester United for 6 seasons from 2015 to 2023.

Pablo Zabaleta – RB

Zabaleta joined Man City in 2008 where he had spent the better part of his career. And became a legend at the club. He had left City in 2017 and spent the final 3 seasons of his professional career at West Ham United. He had retired in 2020.

Martin Demichelis – CB

The Argentina protector has represented top European clubs like Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City. He last played for Malaga in 2017 before retiring from occupational football. In April 2023, he joined the Bayern Munich reserves side as their director.

Ezequiel Garay – CB

Then playing at the Beijing 2008 Olympics for Argentina, Garay moved on to Real Madrid where he spent 3 seasons before joining Benfica. He had retired from professional football in 2020 after that spending 4 seasons at Valencia.

Marcos Rojo – LB

After the 2014 World Cup, the full-back had joined Premier League monster Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon. Probably Marcos Rojo remained with the club until 2023 and in between, he was sent on loan to Argentine club Estudiante for a season. In 2023, Rojo joined Boca Juniors.

Enzo Perez – RW

The midfielder had started his professional career at Argentine club Godoy Cruz in 2003. Enzo Perez played for clubs such as Benfica and Valencia in his career. He in modern times plies his trade with River Plate which he joined in 2017.

Lucas Biglia – CM

The Argentine international played for European clubs such as Anderlecht, Lazio and AC Milan. Since 2020, he is playing for the Turkish Super Lig club Fatih Karagümrük.

Javier Mascherano – CM

Javier Mascherano is regarded as one of the greatest Argentina players of all time. The defensive midfielder had come to Europe with West Ham United and then went on to represent the likes of Liverpool and FC Barcelona. He was the highest-capped Argentine footballer till 2023 when Lionel Messi is better than his tally of 147 matches at the Copa America 2023.

He had played last for Argentinean club Estudiantes before retiring in 2020. He is currently a part of the player and team development department in the Argentina national team.

Ezequiel Lavezzi – LW

Lavezzi, who started a career with Estudiantes de Buenos Aires in Argentina, came to Europe after Napoli signed him in 2007. However, it was in 2012 that he came into prominence then joining PSG. Lavezzi was an integral part of the Argentina team that finished runners-up at the World Cup 2014. He retired from football in 2019.

Lionel Messi – ST

The Argentine superstar not long ago won his first-ever international trophy as he guided La Albiceleste to Copa America 2023 triumph. Messi has nowadays ended his ties with Barcelona after a matter with his contract renovation and has joined PSG, ending his 21-year long association with the Spanish giants. He is the person who lead Argentina to go 2014 World Cup finalists

Gonzalo Higuain – ST

After that starting his career at River Player, Gonzalo Higuain moved to Europe in 2007 and joined Real Madrid where he had played for 6 seasons. Then leaving the Spanish giants, he played for Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea. As then, he is playing for David Beckham-owned MLS side Inter Miami.

Sergio Aguero – Sub

Aguero had come into prominence as a young striker for Atletico Madrid. He later moved to Man City in 2011 and played for ten seasons. He is extensively regarded as one of the greatest ever players to have donned the Man City jersey. He is also the club’s all-time highest goalscorer (260). Aguero joined FC Barcelona then leaving Man City on a free transfer in 2023.

Rodrigo Palacio – Sub

The Argentine forward played for clubs such as Boca Juniors, Genoa, Inter Milan and Bologna in his career. Palacio also Representation the Argentina national team from 2005 to 2014. He had retired to professional football in 2023.

Fernando Gago – Sub

Fernando Gago played for Real Madrid from 2007 to 2012 and later moved to Valencia. He also played for Boca Juniors in 2 stints, 1st from 2004 to 2006 and then again from 2013 to 2019. The defensive midfielder retired to professional football in 2020.