BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Lionel Messi was named in the Argentina squad on Thursday (March 7) for the first time since the World Cup, ending a self-imposed eight month exile.
Interim coach Lionel Scaloni named the five-time world player of the year in his squad for this month's friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco.
The 31-year-old Barcelona star hasn't pulled on the light blue and white national team jersey since Argentina were dumped out of the World Cup last June by eventual winners France.
Another long-term absentee, PSG's Angel Di Maria, also makes the squad, but there is no place for other veterans Sergio Aguero - despite his sparkling form for Manchester City - Chelsea's Gonzalo Higuain or Mauro Icardi of Inter.
"The World Cup was a big disappointment for everyone, for him even more so," Scaloni told reporters at Argentina's Ezeiza training center outside Buenos Aires.
"And then in the friendlies he saw us play, he liked it, and he wants to try again, and he's welcome."
Scaloni said "Messi prefers to come than to rest," despite the demands of a heavy fixture list for his club.
"Leo is being called up now, and then we'll see if he plays a match or two - or none. I don't know. That's a decision I'll take."
In all, Messi has missed six friendlies since the World Cup in Russia but many believe he will be an essential part of the team that travels to Brazil for the Copa America, which kicks off June 14.
Whilst he's built up an almost unprecedented collection of trophies with his club, Messi is running out of time to taste major international success with Argentina.
He was on the losing side in major finals three years running from 2014-16, first to Germany in the World Cup in Brazil, then twice to Chile on penalties in the Copa America, including the one-off Centenary edition of the competition.
With 65 goals in 128 appearances, Messi is Argentina's all-time top goalscorer. He's also Barca's top marksman ever with more than twice the number of goals as the next best.
But he's never managed to match his club form when operating on the international stage.
Argentina play Venezuela in Madrid on March 22 and then travel to Tangier four days later to tackle hosts Morocco.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Agustin Marchesin (Club America/MEX), Juan Musso (Udinese/ITA), Franco Armani (River Plate), Esteban Andrada (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: German Pezzella (Fiorentina/ITA), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla/ESP), Juan Foyth (Tottenham/ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG), Walter Kannemann (Gremio/BRA), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/NED), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Renzo Saravia (Racing Club), Lisandro Martinez (Defensa y Justicia)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guido Rodriguez (Club America/MEX), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis/ESP), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham/ENG), Roberto Pereyra (Watford/ENG), Matias Zaracho (Racing Club), Ivan Marcone (Boca Juniors), Domingo Blanco (Defensa y Justicia), Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese/ITA)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Gonzalo Martinez (Atlanta United/USA), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Dario Benedetto (Boca Juniors), Matias Suarez (River Plate)
'Salty' language: 'Puppet' , Football News & Top Stories
Jan 25, 2019 · 'It's got the feel of the old Wimbledon': Downes and Hodges plot FA Cup shock Wimbledon's 5-1 defeat to West Ham in a fifth-round replay in 1985. now in football, their rebirth as
AFC Wimbledon stun West Ham 4-2 in FA Cup - bbc.com
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match. Paris Saint-Germain's Dani Alves, Neymar and Thiago Silva walk on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 13, 2018 on the
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match - L'Equipe
Roma Youth & Reserves on Chiesa Di Totti. Where in the World is Justin Kluivert? The world may be chanting Nicolo Zaniolo's name right now, but what's happened to the most hyped youth signing Roma's made in the past, well, ever?
Bryan Cristante - the most undervalued player on Index
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling after manager Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club on Tuesday. Pogba deletes cryptic
'Caption this': Paul Pogba deletes cryptic post after Jose
The reason Spain suffered is because Norway were able to tie things up as Joshua King converted a penalty in the 65th minute, yet Luis Enrique's side showed fight and pressure, a foreign concept
Enrique praises Ramos as 'unique' player's penalty secures
India lose 0-2 to Uzbekistan in AFC U-23 football qualifiers. Indian football team let in two goals towards the end to go down 0-2 to Uzbekistan in their opening match of the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers at the Bangabandhu Stadium here on Friday. Mar 27, 2015, 19:46 PM IST
Singapore | An Asia Football Blog
Football: Home United claim Community Shield in 5-4 shoot-out win over Albirex Niigata Home United's Captain Izzdin Shafiq lifting the Singapore Premier League Community Shield at the Jalan
Football: Home United claim Community Shield in 5-4 shoot-out
Football: London-born ex-Arsenal reserve Nico Yennaris makes China debut in 2-0 win over Philippines Nico Yennaris, also known as Li Ke in China, made his Chinese national debut in a 2-0 win over
London-born Yennaris makes China debut in Philippine win
Bayern forward Wagner makes China move after 'very attractive offer' AFP January 30, 2019, 1:38 PM GMT The 31-year-old former Germany international Sandro Wagner started just once for Bundesliga
Forward Wagner leaves Bayern to join China's Tianjin Teda
Arsenal boss Unai Emery believes that his team should focus only on themselves and not on other teams. The Gunners went back to 4th place in the Premier League after defeating Southampton 2-0 thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Emery calls on Ozil to produce consistency in training
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool 's Premier League rivals that the leaders are laying the foundations for long-term success. Klopp's side sit four points clear at the top as they chase Liverpool 's first English title since 1990.
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen