Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina’s next two World Cup qualifiers because of injury.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced his 28-man squad on Monday for the matches against Chile on Sept. 5 and Colombia five days later.
Messi is still recovering from a right ankle injury.
The 36-year-old Ángel Di María, who retired from the national team after winning the recent Copa America, is not on the list either.
World Cup champion Argentina leads South American qualifying with 15 points after six matches.
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Squad:
Goalkeepers: Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Valentin Barco (Brighton).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Guido Rodriguez (West Ham), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadisiya), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Nico Gonzalez (Fiorentina).
Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matias Soule (Roma), Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez both (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Carboni (Olympique Marseille), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) and Valentin Castellanos (Lazio).
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