Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, keeping faith in captain Lionel Messi despite the forward’s recent struggles with injuries.
Messi, who has been playing cautiously for Inter Miami, scored twice on Thursday to lead his club past Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinal. Scaloni dismissed concerns over the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s fitness, confirming his inclusion in the 30-man squad.
World Cup–winning midfielder Enzo Fernández misses out due to suspension, while Facundo Medina and Ángel Correa, both part of the preliminary roster, have been left out.
This campaign could mark the end of Messi’s World Cup qualifying career. Argentina will face Venezuela at home on September 4, a game that may be his last on Argentine soil, before traveling to Ecuador for their final qualifier on September 9.
Argentina squad: Emiliano Martínez, Walter Benítez, Gerónimo Rulli, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña, Julio Soler, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Nicolás Paz, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, Valentín Carboni, Giuliano Simeone, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, José Manuel López.
