Messi-led Argentina national team to play in Kerala next year
World Cup-winning Argentinian football team led by iconic Lionel Messi will play in Kochi next year, Kerala State Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday.
Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi and young Racing Club striker Lautaro Martinez were among 35 players named in Argentina’s provisional World Cup squad.
Icardi, who has played only four matches for his country since his debut in 2013, was on Monday rewarded for a superb 28-goal season in Italy’s Serie A championship, reports Xinua news agency.
Martinez, 20, has netted 20 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions for Racing in 2017-18. The tally includes five in as many matches in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s top club competition.
Advertisement
As expected, the Albiceleste squad includes FC Barcelona’s five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, Hebei China Fortune midfielder Javier Mascherano and Manchester United center-back Marcos Rojo.
MUST READ | Fernando Santos reveals Portugal’s preliminary squad
AC Milan midfielder Lucas Biglia was named despite suffering a recent back injury.
There was also a spot for uncapped River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani, who joined the Buenos Aires club in January from Colombia’s Atletico Nacional amid reports he could seek Colombian nationality.
DON’T MISS | Tite names Brazil’s 23-man squad
Argentina coach Jorge Sampoli will trim his squad to 23 by June 4.
The two-time World Cup winners will begin their campaign in Russia against Iceland on June 16. They will also face Croatia and Nigeria in the group stage.
ALSO READ | Premier League Team of the 2017-18 Season
Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers
Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Willy Caballero and Franco Armani.
Defenders
Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Federico Fazio, NicolAs Tagliafico, Marcos Rojo, Marcos Acuna, Ramiro Funes Mori, Cristian Ansaldi, Eduardo Salvio and German Pezzella.
Midfielders
Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Manuel Lanzini, Gio Lo Celso, Ricardo Centurion, Guido Pizarro, Leandro Paredes, Maximiliano Meza, Enzo Perez, Pablo Perez and Rodrigo Battaglia.
Forwards
Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi, Cristian Pavon, Lautaro Martinez and Diego Perotti.
Advertisement
