A list with no number 10
Lionel Scaloni has announced his first Argentina squad since Lionel Messi retired from international football. Twenty-eight players are called up for friendlies against Uruguay in Buenos Aires on 13 November and Costa Rica in Cordoba on 17 November.
Messi, 39, signed off with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin on 6 October. For close to two decades his name came first on every list. This one starts a new chapter, though the core of the World Cup squad remains.
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Injuries and choices
Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala and Cristian Romero are out injured. The other omissions are sporting decisions: Rodrigo De Paul of Inter Miami is left out, as is Leandro Paredes, a regular starter at Boca Juniors. Giovani Lo Celso misses out after one start and three substitute appearances for Betis this season.
Two defenders get a first call-up: Chelsea’s Aaron Anselmino, 21, and Parma’s Mariano Troilo, 23.
Familiar faces up front and in midfield
Lyon’s Nicolas Tagliafico stays in despite being a substitute at club level, and three former Marseille players are retained: Geronimo Rulli (Manchester City), Leonardo Balerdi (Roma) and Facundo Medina (Bayer Leverkusen).
The younger generation arrives in numbers. Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Matias Soule and Gianluca Prestianni join Julian Alvarez as the lead forward, while Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez anchor midfield.
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