Argentina recently won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, proving their strength in the ongoing Conmebol 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This strong showing emphasizes their skills. Lionel Messi leads the team, and head coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the full squad to compete against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in friendlies this October.
Following his impressive stint with Argentina, Lionel Messi headlines the national team’s squad for the upcoming friendlies. He rested during the last match against Ecuador but remains in great form with Inter Miami, avoiding injuries in his recent games. His strong performance continues to make him a key figure on the team.
Although there was speculation about a new lineup, head coach Lionel Scaloni chose a more traditional selection. However, he has added Facundo Cambeses, Lautaro Rivero, and Anibal Moreno to the squad, bringing fresh talent and potential for Argentina.
Scaloni surprised many by leaving out five regular players, which has sparked discussion. Young talents Claudio Echeverry and Valentin Carboni were not included for tactical reasons, while experienced players Exequiel Palacios, Facundo Medina, and Juan Foyth are out due to injuries. These changes may lead to new strategies in the upcoming matches.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal.
Argentina’s Roster for October Friendlies in the USA
With the recent lineup updates from Lionel Scaloni, Argentina maintains a strong team, ready for exciting matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. These games are key to building team cohesion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they aim to reclaim the title. Here is the complete roster featuring Lionel Messi.
- Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez, Geronimo Rulli, Facundo Cambeses.
- Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi, Lautaro Rivero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña.
- Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Anibal Moreno, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Paz, Giovanni Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada, Franco Mastantuono.
- Forwards: Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Jose Manuel Lopez, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez.