Argentina‘s post-World Cup revolution has begun.
La Albiceleste’s interim manager Lionel Scaloni named his first squad ahead of next month’s friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia, and the headline news is that captain and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has not been included.
Recent reports suggested Messi may take a break from international football after his nation’s alarming exit from the 2018 World Cup at the last-16 stage, and, though not officially confirmed, it would seem that has become reality.
Messi has won 128 caps for Argentina across a 13-year international career to date. The 31-year-old, who was named Barcelona‘s new captain last week after the departure of Andres Iniesta, has registered 65 goals and 44 assists for his country.
Aside from Messi, the biggest news to note is the recall of Inter striker Mauro Icardi, who was controversially left out of Jorge Sampaoli’s World Cup squad despite scoring 29 goals in 34 Serie A games last season. Meanwhile, Icardi’s new Nerazzurri teammate Lautaro Martinez has also been called up, as has uncapped Giovanni Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego.
Senior squad …read more