Messi leads Argentina squad for sixth World Cup

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina named their 26-man squad for the World Cup on Thursday, with Lionel Messi set to lead the defending champions ​at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The ‌38-year-old Inter Miami forward will play in his sixth World Cup, extending his national record, while Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, ​Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players returning ​from the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in ⁠2022.

Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina’s ​third world title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered ​after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.

Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, returned for his second finals after being ​part of Argentina’s squad in Russia in 2018 without making an ​appearance.

Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team’s next generation, including ‌Valentin Barco, ⁠Nicolas Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among those set for their first World Cup appearances.

Local media reports said left back Marcos Acuna, part of the 2022 title-winning squad, ​missed out because ​of fitness concerns.

Argentina ⁠will open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Jordan and Austria.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, ​Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso.

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas ​Tagliafico, Lisandro ⁠Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo ⁠Fernandez.

Forwards: ​Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago ​Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez.