Lionel Messi will captain Argentina’s World Cup defence on the 2026 version, nationwide coach Lionel Scaloni introduced as he unveiled his 26-man squad.
Messi had not beforehand confirmed he would play in what would be the 38-year-old’s record-breaking sixth event.
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It had been extensively assumed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would once more lead Argentina, 4 years after lifting the trophy in Qatar, however an damage sustained while playing for his club side, Inter Miami, solid additional doubt on his participation.
In addition to confirming Messi’s presence, Thursday’s announcement notably excluded Actual Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono from the Argentina squad.
Eighteen-year-old Mastantuono is taken into account one of many brightest prospects in Argentinian soccer.
The most important ever World Cup, cohosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on June 11.
Argentina’s first match will likely be 5 days later towards Algeria in Kansas Metropolis.
Messi’s damage scare in current days got here following his substitution in Miami’s remaining Main League Soccer (MLS) fixture earlier than a break within the event for the World Cup.
Miami’s medical assessments recognized him with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.
The MLS membership had offered no clear timetable for Messi’s return after his abrupt 73rd-minute exit from his aspect’s eventual Miami 6-4 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday.
Miami did say, nonetheless, that his restoration time will rely upon “his scientific and purposeful progress”.
Scaloni has performed down the seriousness of the damage this week, however admitted the ahead could be going for further tests, though no additional replace has been offered.
Messi will likely be enjoying in his sixth World Cup, having beforehand participated in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Of these known as up, 17 gamers had been a part of the workforce that triumphed 4 years in the past within the remaining towards France in Qatar.
Centre-back Cristian Romero, who suffered a knee damage final month and has not performed since, was additionally named within the squad.
The Tottenham Hotspur captain was dominated out for the rest of the Premier League season after he was shoved into his personal goalkeeper by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.
Argentina’s roster retains 17 of the 26 gamers who received the title in Qatar.
Younger gamers who acquired call-ups embody 21-year-olds Nicolas Paz and Valentin Barco.
Palmeiras ahead Jose Manuel Lopez, who solely made his worldwide debut final 12 months, additionally options.
Different notable absentees embody Emiliano Buendia – presently in wonderful type at Aston Villa – and Roma star Paulo Dybala.
The South American giants will journey to the US for pre-World Cup friendlies towards Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9.
Argentina’s World Cup group additionally accommodates Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Together with Messi, Portuguese ahead Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are additionally anticipated to seem of their sixth World Cups this summer time.
Argentina’s World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, ENG), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille, FRA), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid, ESP)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate, ARG), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United, ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, POR), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille, FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur, ENG), Facundo Medina (Marseille, FRA), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, FRA).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors, ARG), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami, USA), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, GER), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea, ENG), Alexis MacAllister (Liverpool, ENG), Giovani Lo Celso (Actual Betis, ESP), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg).
Attackers: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, USA), Nicolas Paz (Como, ITA), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, ITA), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras, BRA).
