Buenos Aires: In a significant development, Lionel Messi has rejoined Argentina’s squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia, as confirmed by the South American football association.
Messi, 37, missed the Albiceleste’s September qualifiers against Chile and Colombia due to an ankle ailment but has since returned to play for Inter Miami.
Argentina is gearing up to face Venezuela away on October 10 and Bolivia in Buenos Aires five days later. These matches are crucial and the Albiceleste is ready for the challenge.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions, are currently leading the 10-team South American group with 18 points after eight games, two points ahead of Colombia. A proud moment for the Albiceleste!
The top six teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which the United States, Mexico, and Canada will co-host. The seventh-ranked team will advance to the Intercontinental playoffs.
Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (River Plate), Marcos Acuna (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Nicolas Paz (Como), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Carboni (Olympique Marseille), Thiago Almada (Botafogo).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).
For more updates Subscribe to Media Eye News
–IANS
Photo Credit: X/@Argentina
