Argentina names squad ahead of Copa America with two friendlies in store – but does Lionel Messi make it?
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named his 29-man squad for two upcoming friendlies as the World Cup winners prepare for Copa America.
Argentina will face Ecuador and Guatemala next month, ahead of the tournament curtain-raiser against Canada on June 20. Scaloni must trim his squad to 26 players for Copa America.
Lionel Messi is included for the two friendlies, alongside a host of Premier League players including Manchester United pair Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho.
Scaloni has also selected Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Nottingham Forest defender Gonzalo Montiel.
Tottenham pair Giovani Lo Celso and Cristiano Romero have made the cut, too, alongside Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez and Brighton teenager Valentin Barco.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named his 29-man squad for two upcoming friendlies
Lionel Messi is included in the squad, alongside a host of Premier League players
Argentina won the 2021 Copa America and is the favorites to win this year’s tournament
Messi is the sole representative from Major League Soccer, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner set to turn 37 during Copa America.
Messi, who has 180 caps and 106 goals for Argentina, has led Miami to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
He returned to the Miami lineup for this weekend’s win over DC United after missing Wednesday’s match against Florida rivals Orlando because of knee soreness.
The 36-year-old has scored 10 goals and recorded nine assists in 10 MLS games this season, adding another two goals and two assists in three CONCACAF Champions Cup appearances.
He led Argentina to glory in the 2021 Copa America and Scaloni’s team is the favorites to win the tournament, which takes place in the United States between June 20 and July 14.
The World Cup winners have been drawn in Group A, alongside Peru, Chile and Canada.
