With Messi's return, Argentina announces squad for the Qualifiers

Coach Lionel Scaloni has announced Argentina's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Messi is back in the squad for the June FIFA World Cup qualifiers after missing the team's first games of 2025 due to an injury to the adductor muscle in his left leg.

But the list presented on Friday night (30) shows some new features. Starting with the young Franco Mastantuono, a revelation from River Plate who attracted the attention of world football in the first half of the year.

In the rearguard, the new faces are Mariano Troilo, from Belgrano, and Kevin Lomónaco, from Independiente and who recently played for Bragantino . In the midfield, Enzo Barrenechea and Nico Paz are the new additions.

Argentina will play two games. The first will be against Chile on June 5th at 10pm at the National Stadium in Santiago. Then, on the 10th, Argentina will face Colombia at 10pm at the Monumental de Nuñez. Scaloni's team is leading the Qualifiers with 31 points in 14 games.

Check out Argentina's squad

GOALKEEPERS : Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Walter Benitez (PSV) and Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille);

DEFENDERS : Mariano Troilo (Belgrano), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Facundo Medina (Lens) and Kevin Lomónaco (Independiente);

MIDFIELDERS : Leandro Paredes (Roma), Enzo Barrenechea (Valencia), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Thiago Almada (Lyon), Nico Paz (Como), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético de Madrid) and Giovanni Lo Celso (Betis);

FORWARDS : Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Nicolás González (Juventus), Franco Mastantuono (River Plate), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).

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