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)
Title cannot soothe PSG's pain in Europe - straitstimes.com
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes Sport > Football > Racism > Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes By 24matins.uk with AFP, published 28 March 2019 at 15h53 BST , updated on 28 March 2019 at 15h54 BST .
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes - World Soccer
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/28/kane-proud-of-england-response-to-race-jibes/
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes AFP March 28, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Harry Kane spoke Thursday of his pride at how his teammates dealt with being racially abused in Montenegro as he collected an award for "services to football" after leading England to the World Cup semi-finals.
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes | Sport24
Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis
Barcelona - Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has been ruled out of playing in the China Cup with Uruguay after spraining his ankle for his club at the weekend. Suarez, 32, is expected to miss between
Injured Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay | Aaj News
Chelsea could axe transfer after Maurizio Sarri decision - deal deadline is close Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd 'agreement', Arsenal signing close, Pepe in Liverpool talks Liverpool fans love what Gini Wijnaldum did to Man City's Bernardo Silva in Nations League West Ham new boy Roberto makes huge gaffe in first interview - fans in stitches
Sources: Chelsea won't axe Sarri, Juve to pay - global.espn.com
global.espn.com/football/chelsea/story/3859204/sources-chelsea-wont-axe-sarrijuve-to-pay
Sources have told ESPN FC that while Chelsea are prepared to negotiate a compensation package with any interested club if Sarri makes it clear that he wants to leave, they have no plans to dismiss him even if he fails to win a first piece of major silverware at Arsenal's expense in Baku.
Chelsea backroom staff 'convinced they are set for Stamford
The £10million summer signing from Manchester City capitalised on woeful defending to head home Sebastian Larsson's corner on the half-hour, in the process cancelling out Juan Mata's opener.
Kane sustained the injury to his left ankle in the closing moments of the 1-0 loss at Wembley and scans have now confirmed the extent of the problem. Football . Spurs star Kane out until March
Spurs star out until March with ankle injury - Daily Nation
SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Brazilian soccer great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone on Saturday (April 13), doctors in Sao Paulo said. Football: Pele recovering well after
Pele recovering well after kidney stone operation - Football
Step up or ship out: Solskjaer, Football News & Top Stories
Super-sub Kim sends below-par Koreans into last eight
Chelsea have moved to within one point of Manchester City after N'Golo Kante's goal downed Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Blues secured a narrow defeat of Roy Hodgson's side, courtesy
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea: N'Golo Kante strike boosts Blues
0 comments:
Post a Comment