Without Messi, Argentina announces its squad for South American qualifiers

Buenos Aires. Without star player Lionel Messi, Argentina’s national football team announced on Monday a new roster for the double date in September against Chile and Colombia in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Messi was not among the 28 players called up due to an ankle injury he suffered during the recent Copa America in the United States, from which he is recovering with his club Inter Miami.

Veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani and forward Ángel Di María, who announced his retirement from the Albiceleste team after the Copa América, were also not included in the squad.

Instead, the coach called up for the first time midfielder Ezequiel Fernández and top scorer Valentín Castellanos, as well as young footballers with few games in the national team such as Alejandro Garnacho, Valentín Carboni, Valentín Barco and Matías Soulé.

In the next FIFA match, Argentina will face Chile on September 5 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires and five days later will face Colombia as a visitor in Barranquilla.

Photo @Argentina

Below is the list of those called up:

Goalkeepers: Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille, France), Juan Musso (Atalanta, Italy) and Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, England).

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Seville, Spain), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur, England), German Pezzella (River Plate, Argentina), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, Portugal), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United, England), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, France) and Valentin Barco (Brighton, England).

Midfielders: Guido Rodríguez (West Ham United, England), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, England), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, England), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur), Ezequiel Fernández (Al Duhail, Saudi Arabia), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Nicolás González (Fiorentina, Italy) and Leandro Paredes (Roma, Italy).

Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matias Soule (Roma), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Carboni (Olympique Marseille), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City, England), Lautaro Martinez (Inter, Italy). Valentin Castellanos (Lazio, Italy). (Reporting by Ramiro Scandolo; Editing by Walter Bianchi).