Argentina squad: Lionel Messi returns as Serie A star earns surprise call-up
Argentina star Lionel Messi returns to the national team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.
Lionel Messi has returned to the Argentina squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.
Messi was forced to miss last month’s international window with an ankle injury he sustained in July’s Copa America final against Colombia.
In Messi’s absence, Lionel Scaloni’s side recorded a 3-0 home win over Chile, before they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Colombia in Barranquilla.
Following a spell on the sidelines, Messi made his long-awaited return to action in Inter Miami’s home clash with Philadelphia Union last month.
The Inter Miami scored a brace and provided an assist to help his side claim a 3-1 victory in his first game back from a two-month layoff.
© Imago
Messi has gone on to make three more appearances for the MLS franchise, featuring against Atlanta United and New York City before playing a key role in Saturday’s home meeting with Charlotte FC.
The 37-year-old scored a 67th-minute equaliser to cancel out Karol Swiderski’s opener in the 1-1 draw with Dean Smith’s side.
Having proven his fitness to Scaloni, Messi has been recalled to the Argentina squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
La Albiceleste are set to face Venezuela in an away game on October 10, before they welcome Bolivia to Buenos Aires on October 15.
© Imago
Paz earns first Argentina call-up
While Messi’s inclusion was widely expected, there may be some surprise about the decision to call up Como attacker Nicolas Paz.
The 20-year-old has seemingly impressed Scaloni with his performances since joining the Italian side from Real Madrid in the summer.
Paz has featured in all five Serie A matches for Cesc Fabregas’ side, and he has contributed three assists in the last two matches to help Como clinch back-to-back victories.
Meanwhile, Scaloni has opted to call up Walter Benitez, Juan Musso and Geronimo Rulli in the absence of Argentina’s usual first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The Aston Villa shot-stopper has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA for two separate incidents which took place in September’s international window.
Argentina squad in full
Goalkeepers: Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur),
Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), German Pezzela (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Marcos Acuna (River Plate), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Thiago Almada (Botafogo)
Attackers: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Nicolas Paz (Como), Lautaro MartÃnez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Carboni (Marseille)
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