Argentina announces World Cup selection team without Messi
Argentina will take on Chile in Buenos Aires on September 5 in the World Cup qualifiers. Four days later, the reigning world champions will play against the hosts in Colombia. However, Argentina will have to play these two matches without captain Lionel Messi.
Messi is still recovering from a right ankle injury.
The 36-year-old Angel Di Maria, who retired from the national team after winning the recent Copa America, is not on the list either.
Scaloni announced a 28-man preliminary squad for the two World Cup qualifiers. However, the regular captain of Argentina was not kept in that team. This decision by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is still pending since Messi has not yet recovered from the injury sustained in the Copa America final.
Besides, goalkeeper Franco Armani and winger Di Maria are not in the team as they bid farewell to international football after the Copa America. In addition, Exequiel Palacios is not on the team. Defenders Marcos Acuna and Lucas Martinez Cuarta did not get a chance. Despite rumors, Paulo Dybala did not have a place in the team.
Lionel Scaloni announced two new faces in the 28-man squad – Valentin Castellanos and Matias Soule. Valentin Castellanos, a 25-year-old forward, plays for SS Lazio. Forward Soule, who has just joined another Italian club Roma, is 21.
Argentina's 28-member squad:
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martnez (Aston Villa).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Germn Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi), Nicols Otamendi, Lisandro Martnez, Nicols Tagliafico, Valentn Barco.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Alexis McAllister, Enzo Fernandez, Giovanni Lo Celso, Ezequiel Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul.
Forwards: Nicolas Gonzalez, Alejandro Garnacho, Matias Sole, Giuliano Simeone, Valentin Carboni, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez and Valentin Castellanos.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodrguez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernndez, Giovani Lo Celso, Ezequiel Fernndez, Rodrigo de Paul, Nico Gonzlez.
Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho, Matas Soul, Giuliano Simeone, Julin lvarez, Valentn Carboni, Lautaro Martnez, and Valentn Castellanos.
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