Buenos Aires (AFP)
Argentine national football team coach Lionel Scaloni revealed the world champion’s lineup for its two international friendly matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica next March in the United States.
The squad, which included 26 players, was presented by the American star of Inter Miami, the “veteran leader,” Lionel Messi, 36 years old, who was crowned the Golden Ball for the best player in the world eight times in his professional career, most recently last year.
Scaloni’s squad witnessed some surprises, most notably the call-up of young full-back Valentin Barco, a graduate of Boca Juniors who recently joined English club Brighton.
Barco shined greatly with his country’s under-23 team, which qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris.
Scaloni also summoned Bournemouth’s English defender Marcus Senesi to replace the injured Manchester United defender Alessandro Martinez.
Roma’s Italian playmaker Paulo Dybala returns to the squad, after missing the Albiceleste’s recent matches due to injury.
Argentina will play El Salvador on March 22 in Philadelphia, and four days later against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.
The two matches are part of the preparations for the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
2024-03-02 04:38:49
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