The star of Inter Miami could become the footballer with the most appearances in the history of the World Cupwith six, a record that the Portuguese striker can also reach Cristiano Ronaldo and the Mexican archer Guillermo Ochoa.
Messi, who will turn 39 at the start of the tournament, set off the alarm bells for the Albiceleste when he was injured on Sunday in Inter Miami’s last game before the break. MLS with a view to the biggest football event, which will be played from June 11.
The Florida club reported on Monday that the “Ten” was suffering from “muscle fatigue” in his left leg and that his return to sporting activity was subject to his evolution.
Scaloni, however, calmed the waters in an interview with the DSports channel published on Tuesday, by ensuring that the news about his captain’s situation was not “that bad.”
With Messi on the list to lead the team that will defend the world title, the coach surprised by leaving out 18-year-old Mastantuono, considered one of the greatest promises in Argentine football.
The base and the new
Argentina, on the other hand, will have the central Christian Romerowho suffered a knee injury in April that put his presence in the tournament to be played in serious doubt. USA, Canada and Mexico.
“Cuti”, undisputed in the rear of the world champions, was injured in a game of the Tottenham in the Premier League and his technician, Roberto de Zerbithen assured that he would miss the rest of the season.
Beyond the absence of Mastantuono and the presence of Romero, the list does not present major surprises: it retains 17 of the 26 champion players in Taste and adds some young people who had been being summoned, such as Nicolas Paz and Valentine Boatboth 21 years old.
Paz celebrated the call on his social networks: “A dream come true,” wrote the player of the As Italian, who will follow in the footsteps of his father, the defender Pablo PazWorld Cup player with Argentina in France 1998.
One of the names that attracts attention is that of the striker of the Palmeiras, José Manuel “Flaco” Lópezwhich was recently added to the Scaloni cycle.
Also in the attack, the presence of Giuliano Simeone and Nicolas Gonzalezof the Atlético de Madrid.
In addition to Mastantuono, they resonate the absences of players like Emiliano Buendía, who is very present at Aston Villaor the figure of Rome and champion in 2022, Paulo Dybala.
In defense, he was left out Marcos Acuña and his partner ended up entering River Plate, Gonzalo Montielwho is recovering from a muscle injury.
The defender of the Olympique de Marseille, Facundo Medinawhich was in doubt until the last moment, will finally be part of the game and he celebrated it on his networks, where he invited his followers to “never stop dreaming.”
With this roster, Argentina could almost completely repeat the formation that played in the final with France in 2022, with the exception of Angel Di Mariawho retired from the Albiceleste in 2024 after winning the America’s Cup.
The Albiceleste, located in Group J, will begin the defense of the title against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. They complete the area Austria and Jordan.
List of 26 summoned:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez (Aston Villa, ENG), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille, FRA), Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid, ESP).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United, ENG), Nicolás Otamendi (SL Benfica, POR), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille, FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenhman Hotspur, ENG), Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille, FRA), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon, FRA).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami, MLS), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, GER), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, ENG), Alexis MacAllister (Liverpool, ENG), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis, ESP), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, MLS), Nicolás Paz (Como, ITA), Thiago Almada, Nicolás González, Julián Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, ITA), José Manuel López (Palmeiras, BRA).
