Lionel Messi will participate in his sixth World Cup. If he came out injured from his last match played with Inter Miami, the Argentinian will once again guide the Albiceleste during the next World Cup, which will begin in less than two weeks.
Victim of a muscle problem in the hamstring of his left leg, the former Barcelona player is, without much surprise, among the 26 players selected by Lionel Scaloni to defend the world champion title won in 2022 in Qatar.
A majority of the players crowned four years ago were also selected by Lionel Scaloni as well as five players playing in Ligue 1. In addition to Nicolas Tagliafico from OL, and Valentin Barco, who played this season in Strasbourg, three players from Olympique de Marselle are present in the group of 26: Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina and Geronimo Rulli.
Franco Mastantuono failed
If there are six Atletico Madrid players – Julian Alvarez, Nahuel Molina, Juan Musso, Thiago Almada, Nico Gonzalez and Giuliano Simeone – Real Madrid attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono was not called up.
Placed in Group J, the defending champion must face Algeria, Jordan and Austria from June 16 and will be looking for a fourth coronation after those of 1978, 1986 and 2018.
Argentina’s World Cup roster
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, ANG).
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate, ARG), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United, ANG), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, ANG), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, POR), Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid, ESP).
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, ANG), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami, USA), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, ANG), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors, ARG), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, ALL), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis Sevilla, ESP), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, USA), Julian Alvarez (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, ITA), Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Nico Paz (Como, ITA), Nicolas González (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), José Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras, BRA).
