Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Argentina (阿根廷) |
| Alias(es) | Argentina National Team; Argentina U-20 National Team |
| Type | Neutral Character (AI) |
| Affiliation | Argentine Football Association (AFA); later supported as an independent national-team organization 313 |
| Occupation/Role | International football nation; fields senior, U-20, and Olympic squads |
| Status | Active; continues international competition despite the AFA's suspension 313 |
| First Appearance | Buenos Aires, Argentina 1 |
Football History
Youth National Team
| Period / Tournament | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2007 World Youth Championships | Two consecutive titles | Pepys coached the U-20 side through consecutive championship victories before leaving the role. 43 |
| Pre-World Youth Championship | Rebuild | After several semifinal exits and a difficult qualification campaign, the AFA reinstated Pepys to repair a side lacking attacking firepower. 43 |
| World Youth Championship | Champions | Pepys rebuilt the team around Su Bai, who was brought in as the attacking centerpiece and led Argentina to the title. 110 119 |
Senior National Team
| Tournament / Arc | Result | Key developments |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | Champions | Argentina incorporated Su Bai alongside Messi and Agüero, with the side defeating Germany in the final. 173 199 202 |
| FIFA World Cup | Record-setting campaign | Su Bai scored the fastest World Cup goal at 10.04 seconds and finished the tournament with 22 goals. 177 204 |
| Copa América | Champions | Argentina defeated Chile 9–0 in the final; Su Bai scored a hat trick and made two assists, while Agüero won the Golden Boot. 318 |
| Later FIFA World Cup | Finalists | Argentina reached another World Cup final against France after defeating the Netherlands 9–1 and Croatia 4–0. 339 |
Background
Argentina is Su Bai's birthplace and the setting of his early career at Boca Juniors' youth academy in Buenos Aires. Boca is described as Argentina's foremost club, with a youth system that recruits elite domestic prospects. 1
Although Su Bai was initially viewed as a Chinese player by Pepys and others, the Argentina U-20 staff later confirmed that he held Argentine nationality. Pepys regarded his physicality and finishing as the solution to the youth side's lack of a reliable forward. 43
Argentina's senior team initially contained competing player factions, including groups aligned with Messi and with Tevez. Su Bai's arrival was treated as both a tactical opportunity and a potential locker-room disruption. 174
Team Identity and Tactics
The MSA Combination
Argentina's attack centers on the partnership of Messi, Su Bai, and Agüero, commonly framed as the “MSA” combination. Su Bai's presence gives the team a dominant aerial target, powerful long-range shooting, and a forward capable of occupying multiple defenders. 177 178
- Messi frequently operates as a creator and combination partner for Su Bai. 177 187
- Agüero develops an effective link with Su Bai, including a decisive assist against the Netherlands. 194
- The trio's collective threat allows Argentina to overwhelm opponents even when individual stars are substituted. 178
Tactical Flexibility
Argentina changes shape around Su Bai rather than restricting him to a single forward role.
- Target forward — Wins aerial balls and serves as the focal point of direct attacks. 177
- Attacking midfielder / playmaker — Drops into midfield to dictate tempo, create chances, and support defensive coverage. 187 200
- Deep tactical organizer — Repositions teammates during matches, including Argentina's Round of 16 victory over Switzerland. 186 187
- Artillery-platform system — Sabella uses Su Bai behind Messi and Agüero in a 4-3-1-2, turning the latter pair into a strike force while Su Bai supports from deeper areas. 195
Major Arcs
Rebuilding the U-20 Side
Pepys returned to an underperforming U-20 team shortly before the World Youth Championship. After learning that Su Bai was eligible for Argentina, he constructed a 4-2-3-1 around him and reserved the number 10 shirt for his arrival. 43 110
Argentina's youth team became heavily dependent on Su Bai's attacking impact, but the arrangement succeeded: he led the side to the World Youth Championship and received widespread acclaim from Argentine fans and Maradona. 110 119
Recruitment of Su Bai
Argentina's senior setup pursued Su Bai as a partner for Messi. Julio Grondona believed that Messi could not win the World Cup alone and was determined to secure Su Bai at any cost. 170
Su Bai arrived at the senior training base before the World Cup, received the temporary number 45 shirt, and immediately scored against the starting side in an internal scrimmage. 173 174
FIFA World Cup Triumph
Argentina opened the World Cup by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 6–1. Su Bai scored a hat trick, set the fastest-goal record in World Cup history, and rapidly became the squad's central tactical threat. 176 177 178
During the knockout rounds, Argentina relied increasingly on Su Bai's leadership and positional versatility. Sabella appointed him third captain after he reorganized the side against Switzerland and combined with Messi in midfield. 186 187
Argentina ultimately defeated Germany in the final to win the World Cup. Su Bai's contribution in the decisive match included a solo goal that turned Argentina's lead into a commanding advantage. 200 202
AFA Crisis and Copa América
Following Grondona's death, corruption allegations caused the collapse of the Grondona Consortium. The AFA's accounts were frozen, and the association was suspended from international competitions for ten years. 313
Su Bai and Messi supported the team through the crisis. Su Bai financed the national side's expenses and pledged future prize money toward youth development, allowing Argentina to continue competing as an independent organization. 313
Argentina then dominated the Copa América, defeating Chile 8–0, Panama 5–0, Venezuela 6–0, the United States 5–0, and Chile 9–0 in the final. 315 316 318
Relationships
- Su Bai — Argentina's central attacking and tactical figure; he joins both the U-20 and senior teams, finances the side during the AFA crisis, and becomes a major symbol for supporters. 110 173 313 314
- Lionel Messi — Senior captain and Su Bai's principal on-field partner; he personally welcomes Su Bai and entrusts him with leadership responsibilities. 173 181 187
- Sergio Agüero — Initially threatened by Su Bai's arrival, but later forms a productive attacking connection with him and Messi. 174 176 194
- Pepys — Argentina U-20 head coach who recruits Su Bai and builds the youth team around him. 43 109 110
- Alejandro Sabella — Senior head coach; integrates Su Bai into the squad, adapts tactics around him, and appoints him third captain. 174 187 195
- Julio Grondona — AFA president who pushes to secure Su Bai for Argentina as Messi's World Cup partner; his death later triggers the association's internal crisis. 170 313
- Diego Maradona — Argentine icon who publicly praises Su Bai after the U-20 World Youth Championship victory and welcomes his rise within Argentine football. 119 181
Trivia
- Su Bai's temporary senior-team number was 45, the same number he wore for Boca Juniors. 174
- Argentina supporters chant a “Song of Su Bai,” describing him as a “muscle monster,” “goal-scoring maniac,” and “Argentina's great white shark.” 178
- During the Copa América crisis, Argentine supporters displayed banners crediting Su Bai with saving the national team financially. 314