Lionel Andrés Messi was not included in the list of players called up by coach Lionel Scaloni for the Argentine National Team. will face a double date of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Chile and Colombia.
The main changes to the list are the absence of Messi (ligament injury in his right ankle), Ángel Di María (retired from the national team) and goalkeeper Franco Armani.
In addition, the squad includes several young players who are looking to make a place for themselves in Scaloni’s squad.
Valentín Barco, Ezequiel Fernández, Matías Soulé, Giuliano Simeone and the addition of Lazio striker Valentín Castellanos are some of those new names that are beginning to attract attention in the Albiceleste.
Argentina will face Chile in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on September 5 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires and will visit Colombia on September 10.
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, England), Juan Musso (Atalanta, Italy), Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax, Netherlands), Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Seville, Spain), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid, Spain), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille, France), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, England), German Pezzella (River Plate, Argentina), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, Portugal), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United, England), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, France) and Valentin Barco (Brighton, England).
Midfielders: Guido Rodríguez (West Ham United, England), Leandro Paredes (Roma, Italy), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, England), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Ezequiel Fernández (Al Qadsiah, Saudi Arabia), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, England), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham) and Nicolás González (Fiorentina, Italy).
Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Italy), Valentin Carboni (Monza, Italy) and Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio, Italy) and Matias Soule (Roma).
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