Argentina Squad for Friendlies Announced; Messi Included Despite MLS Playoffs

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and his teammate Rodrigo De Paul have been named in the 24-member Argentina national squad for a friendly match against Angola on November 14. National team coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to keep both players in the squad, even as Inter Miami is engaged with the MLS Cup playoffs.

Messi has had an impressive season in the MLS with 29 goals and 19 assists, and he remains a key player for both his club and his country.

Players from the Argentine Primera División have been left out of the squad for this international window. Goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez has also been excluded from the team as he is recovering from an injury. The squad includes some new and uncapped players like Gianluca Prestianni, Joaquín Panichelli, and Máximo Perrone.

Goalkeepers: Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace)

Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Valentín Barco (Racing Strasbourg)

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Máximo Perrone (Como), Nicolás Paz (Como)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Nicolás González (Atlético Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Joaquín Panichelli (Racing Strasbourg)