Argentina have named their first squad since Lionel Messi retired from international football. Coach Lionel Scaloni has picked 28 players for two friendly matches in November.
Argentina will face Uruguay in Buenos Aires on November 13 before taking on Costa Rica in Córdoba on November 17.
The squad includes Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who is still recovering from a jaw injury. He underwent surgery after suffering the injury against Everton last month and has yet to return to action for his club.
Scaloni has also selected three other goalkeepers. They are Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso and Santiago Beltrán.
Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino has earned his first call up to the national team. The 21 year old joined Chelsea in 2024 for $18 million.
He later spent time on loan at Boca Juniors, Borussia Dortmund and Strasbourg. He returned to Chelsea this season but suffered an injury during a friendly against Johor of Malaysia. He has yet to play an official match under Xabi Alonso.
Several familiar names have also made the squad. They include Enzo Fernández, Lisandro Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez and Nicolás Tagliafico.
Valentín Barco has returned to the team alongside Mac Allister. Atlético Madrid players Giuliano Simeone and Juan Musso have also received call ups.
Scaloni has included Roma players Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi. Other European based players include Facundo Medina, Ezequiel Fernández, Máximo Perrone and Román Vega.
River Plate have three players in the squad. They are Thiago Almada, Santiago Beltrán and Gonzalo Montiel. Palmeiras duo Agustín Giay and José Manuel López have also earned places.
Mariano Troilo, Franco Mastantuono, Gianluca Prestianni and Exequiel Palacios are also in the squad.
The two friendlies will mark the start of a new chapter for Argentina without Messi.
The former captain played his final international match last month against Benin in Buenos Aires. He scored in Argentina’s 3-0 win to end his international career on a high.
Messi finished his Argentina career with 126 goals in 208 appearances. During his 21 years with the national team, he won the World Cup and two Copa América titles.
Argentina’s 28 man squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Santiago Beltrán.
Defenders: Aaron Anselmino, Lisandro Martínez, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Román Vega, Facundo Medina, Gonzalo Montiel, Agustín Giay, Mariano Troilo.
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernández, Máximo Perrone, Exequiel Palacios, Valentín Barco, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Nicolás Paz, Matías Soulé.
Forwards: Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone, Gianluca Prestianni, Thiago Almada, José Manuel López, Santiago Castro, Julián Álvarez.
