Sunday, 2 April, 2023
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Messi in Argentina squad for friendlies

Lionel Messi is set to make his first appearance for Argentina since lifting the World Cup after he was called up by coach Lionel Scaloni on Friday for friendly matches later this month, reports AFP. Scaloni named a 35-man squad that included all 26 players that won the World Cup in Qatar in December, beating France on penalties after a

sensational final that ended 3-3 after extra-time. Recent £100 million Chelsea signing Enzo Fernandez, Manchester United's combative center-back Lisandro Martinez and Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, who was earlier this week named the best goalkeeper for 2022 by FIFA, are also in the squad. Villarreal's Giovanni Lo Celso returned to the squad after missing the World Cup through injury, while uncapped teenage Spanish-born Manchester United starlet

Alejandro Garnacho is also included in a Scaloni squad for the second time. Some other uncapped young talents have also earned a call-up including Manchester City midfielder Maximo Perrone and attacking midfielders Facundo

Buonanotte of Brighton and Inter Milan's Valentin Carboni. Argentina will host Panama on March 23 in Buenos Aires and then Curacao in Santiago del Estero five days later.