Emi, Cuti and the Butcher are Argentina's dark trio out to destroy England's World Cup hopes

They are known as Emi, Cuti and the Butcher. The

Argentina

back line formed in the

Premier League

and on a mission to keep out England.

Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero - nicknamed Cuti - and Lisandro Martinez whose nickname probably does not need any further explanation. They are warriors for Argentina, all three epitomise the spirit and fight of their country’s footballing identity which is the reason they believe they can win back-to-back World Cups.

Ironically, they are facing the double threat of English pair

Harry Kane

and

Jude Bellingham

who no longer play in English football.

Bayern Munich

superstar Kane left

Tottenham

and the Premier League while Bellingham never played in it, instead opting to leave Birmingham City to join

Borussia Dortmund

and then

Real Madrid

.

It means England fans are incredibly familiar with the Argentinian warriors standing in the way of the Three Lions and their dream of reaching a first World Cup final in 60 years.

Kane is so proud to be England captain. It is the highlight of his career,

it means the world to him and the passion is pumping through his veins.

The way Bellingham talks about playing for England, pulling on the shirt and representing the fans is spine-tingling stuff.

They are the reason why England are great again. The fear has gone. The weight of the shirt is no more. It resonates through the rest of the team.

And that is what it has always been like to play for Argentina. They have a different mindset, a win at all costs mentality which has helped make them

world

champions three times in 1978, 1986 and 2002.

This will be their chance to become the first back-to-back world champions since

Brazil

in 1962.

And it comes from a place of passion. They refuse to give up, they keep going and they just find a way. They may not be as good as previous generations but they have

Lionel Messi

View 3 Images

But it is Emiliano Martinez, Romero and Lisandro Martinez who provide the spirit as much as any of the Argentina squad.

Aston Villa

keeper Martinez has an incredible mentality. This time, he has shaved and dyed the Argentinian flag into the side of his head to show how proud he is to represent his country.

His former manager,

Arsene Wenger

,

told Mirror Football back in 2022 about Martinez’s “big passion”

Arsenal

’s former transfer fixer Dick Law talked about his “character, willpower and enormous drive.”

Law recalled how Martinez’s

first target after signing a contract was to buy his mum a flat.

He had a humble upbringing. His biggest goal was to thank his family. It says everything about his pride and passion.

Romero divides opinion among pundits for his performances for Tottenham. It was his sister who called him “Cuti” as, a young child, could not pronounce his name properly. It stuck.

While his focus and temperament are major issues for Tottenham, he gives his heart and soul for Tottenham. He will do anything to stop opponents - absolutely anything.

Romero puts it on the line for Argentina and, when focused, no-one can doubt that he is one of the best centre halves in the world.

Lisandro Martinez has clearly been troubled by injuries during his time at

Manchester United

and therefore we have only seen his best in flashes. But Martinez is another player who is tough. The Butcher nickname says it all. He flies in to tackles and is a fearsome competitor.

Again, he is not the biggest defender but his reading of the game and edge makes him so effective as a reader of the game who can step into midfield, pass and tackle.

The other edge they have together is a unit is that English experience. Apart from Kane and Bellingham, they know all about England, all about the English players and that must count for something.

They also understand the England-Argentina rivalry - both on and off the pitch - from both sides and that will only serve to fire them up.

This Argentina may not be littered with star names and superstars but they have a mentality, a fearsome backbone and the greatest ever which is why they will be England’s toughest possible opponents.

Content cannot be displayed without consent