Lionel Messi will lead defending Champion Argentina in the Copa America as the team announced its 29-men provisional squad ahead of two friendly matches and Copa America.
Argentina is one of the most successful teams in Copa America history, winning 15 trophies along with Marcelo Bielsa’s side Uruguay.
The team will face two friendly matches against Ecuador and Guatemala on June 9 and 14 before the Copa America. The 29-member squad will eventually be reduced to 26 after the games, with CONMEBOL itself setting the number of players until 15 June.
The squad features three league winners, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez and Exequiel Palacios, who won the top league in Europe. Roma winger Paulo Dybala is out of the 29-man squad.
Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Acuna are also named in the squad, they will be the solid backline for the defending champion. Man Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho, is also included in the 29-men.
Argentina Squad for friendlies and Copa America:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax), Franco Armani (River Plate)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (Betis), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Valentin Barco (Brighton)
Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (Betis), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Valentin Carboni (Monza)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
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