**West Ham striker Valentin Castellanos scored a brace in West Ham United’s crucial 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.**
Taty’s goals were crucial; they completely took the game away from the visitors. Now, after scoring five goals since arriving in January, the question has arisen: can the 27-year-old make the Argentina squad?
West Ham fans know how much playing for his country means to him, “I train at West Ham, but I live, breathe, and think about Argentina all day. My idea to come to England was because I wanted to be in the Premier League in the year of the World Cup. If I don’t get called up, I will wish the best to whoever takes my place.”
Castellanos has played for his country before; he’s made two appearances. However, he hasn’t played since November 2024, and he’s only played a combined 3 minutes. So in terms of history, there isn’t much chance.
However, what he does between now and the end of the season could tempt former Hammer Lionel Scaloni’s hand. Five goals in 14 matches is a decent return, but he’s going to get at least another four goals in the last six matches if he’s going to have any chance. Unless, of course, there are injuries.
Argentina has a stacked squad, and the striker position is the prime example of that. In the last squad, Julian Alvarez and Lautauro Martinez are nailed to. make the squad. Nico Gonzalez is also a forward who will also more than likely go, but he can also play out wide.
So could there be room for another striker? Who is that likely to be? Well, in the last squad, it was Jose Lopez of Palmeiras in Brazil; surely Taty would be a better option?
Well, Lopez debuted in August 2025, while Taty hasn’t featured since November 2024. So, Lopez is clearly in Scaloni’s thinking more at the moment, but I wouldn’t rule out Catellanos changing that completely between now and the end of the season.
Let’s hope can bang in a few goals for us between now and the end of the season, and he earns himself a spot on the plane to the USA.