The unknown name that suddenly entered Scaloni’s radar before the World Cup
When Lionel Scaloni announced Argentina’s squad for the friendly against Guatemala, one name immediately caught everyone off guard: Tomas Palacios.
At just 22 years old, the defender became one of the biggest surprises in the call-up, earning his first opportunity with the senior national team thanks to his recent performances. 0
But who exactly is Palacios — and why is he suddenly so important?
Tomas Palacios was born in General Pico, La Pampa, and developed through the youth system of Talleres de Córdoba, where he made his professional debut in 2020. 1
After gaining experience on loan at Independiente Rivadavia, his performances caught international attention and led to a major move: Inter Milan signed him in 2024 for around 6 million euros. 2
He later had a short spell at Monza before returning to Argentina in 2026 to play for Estudiantes de La Plata, where he finally found consistency and regular minutes. 3
That return to form is what ultimately pushed him into Scaloni’s plans.
Palacios is a central defender with a very distinctive profile. He stands out physically, measuring around 1.96 meters, making him one of the tallest players in Argentine football. 4
His main strengths include strong aerial ability, solid defensive presence and the capacity to play out from the back with good ball control. 5
He can also adapt tactically, even playing in different defensive roles when needed.
This combination of size and technique makes him an interesting modern defender — something Scaloni values a lot.
The timing of his call-up is not random. Argentina is still searching for defensive depth ahead of the 2026 World Cup, especially in certain positions.
Palacios arrives at the perfect moment: in form, playing regularly and showing enough potential to be tested at the highest level.
His performances at Estudiantes convinced the coaching staff that he deserved a real opportunity with the senior squad. 6
This call-up is not just a reward — it’s an evaluation.
That is the big question.
Right now, Palacios is not a guaranteed name for the final list. But this opportunity gives him a chance to compete directly with other defenders in the squad.
If he performs well, he could quickly move from “surprise call-up” to serious World Cup contender.
And in a squad where competition is intense, that kind of momentum can change everything.