Scaloni Calls Messi, Garnacho To Argentina National Squad

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has recalled maestro Lionel Messi and youngster Alejandro Garnacho to his squad for the friendly games later in March.

Messi was part of the team that won the World Cup in Qatar last December, beating France on penalties after an intense final that ended 3-3 after extra time.

He will be joining his fellow World Cup-winning teammates in the squad, which includes Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, and Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, who was named the best goalkeeper for 2022 by Fifa.

In addition to the seasoned veterans, Scaloni has also called up some young and talented players, including Alejandro Garnacho, a teenage Spanish-born starlet from Manchester United.

He has made a meteoric rise this season, scoring four goals in 27 appearances, including the decisive strike in the Red Devils' 3-1 FA Cup last-16 victory over West Ham on Wednesday.

Other young talents, such as Maximo Perrone, Facundo Buonanotte, and Valentin Carboni, have also earned a call-up despite their limited senior first-team experience.

Argentina will play Panama on 23 March in Buenos Aires and Curacao in Santiago del Estero five days later. Fans will undoubtedly be excited to see Messi back in action, eager to witness his magic once again on the international stage.

ARGENTINA SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax/NED), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG)

Defenders: Juan Foyth (Villarreal/ESP), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla/ESP), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Nehuen Perez (Udinese/ITA), German Pezzella (Real Betis/ESP), Cristian Romero (Tottenham/ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica/POR), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon/FRA), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla/ESP), Lautaro Blanco (Elche/ESP)

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Juventus/ITA), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis/ESP), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea/ENG), Maximo Perrone (Manchester City/ENG), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton/ENG), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United/USA), Giovanni Lo Celso (Villarreal/ESP), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton/ENG)

Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Juventus/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa/ENG), Valentin Carboni (Inter Milan/ITA), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Paulo Dybala (Roma/ITA), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City/ENG), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina/ITA), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla/ESP)