World Cup qualifying in Conmebol continues in September as Argentina will face Chile at home on September 5 and Colombia on September 10 in Barranquilla.
Lionel Scaloni issued some surprise call-ups, none bigger than Lazio striker Valentín Castellanos, of NYCFC fame. The former MLS Golden Boot winner will get his chance to prove himself to Scaloni, along with Valentín Carboni and Matías Soulé.
As for Lionel Messi, he is out of the squad while continuing to recover full fitness from his ankle injury suffered during the Copa America final. Reports indicate that Messi is expected to return to MLS action sometime after World Cup qualifying in September, with a timetable pointing to late September.
Lionel Messi Out of Argentina Squad
Messi has been progressing slowly, initially needing the aid of a boot, and now being able to walk on his own. While Inter Miami has not provided a definitive timeline for Messi’s recovery, it has been reported that late September should see the return of the World Cup winner.
Lionel Scaloni’s squad for Argentina’s games against Chile and Colombia is:
Goalkeepers: Walter Benítez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, and Emiliano Martínez.
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Germán Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, and Valentín Barco.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodríguez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Giovani Lo Celso, Ezequiel Fernández, and Rodrigo De Paul.
Forwards: Nicolás González, Alejandro Garnacho, Matías Soulé, Giuliano Simeone, Valentín Carboni, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, and Valentín Castellanos.