Argentina announce first squad after Lionel Messi’s retirement for November international window
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The post-Lionel Messi era starts for La Albiceleste!
For the first time since Lionel Messi’s international retirement, Argentina have announced a 28-member squad for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica during the November international window.
Messi, who is Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, played his final international match in a friendly against Benin on October 6. Following this, La Albiceleste secured comfortable victories against Bolivia and Burkina Faso without their former captain.
Now, head coach Lionel Scaloni has begun a new era for the South American giants, naming a Messi-less squad. The upcoming friendlies will serve as a warm-up before La Albiceleste begin their campaign to qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina will begin this new chapter with a friendly against Uruguay on Friday, November 13, at the Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera) in Buenos Aires. Scaloni’s men will then take on CONCACAF opponents Costa Rica at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba on Tuesday, November 17.
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Anselmino earns first call-up in revamped Argentina squad
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Scaloni has called up 28 players for the two friendlies. Several new players have been given a nod, including Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino. Although the 21-year-old has not featured for the Premier League club this season, he is set to make his international debut.
Parma defender Mariano Troilo and River Plate full-back Gonzalo Montiel have also returned to the squad after missing out on the previous rosters. Other fringe players who have been called up include Roma attackers Santiago Castro and Matias Soule, and Zenit St Petersburg full-back Roman Vega.
Another big decision is to include Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is currently nursing a broken jaw. His availability for the upcoming friendlies will be assessed in the coming days.
Argentina full squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Chelsea), Geronimo Rulli (Manchester City), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Santiago Beltran (River Plate)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Agustin Giay (Palmeiras), Aaron Anselmino (Chelsea), Mariano Troilo (Parma), Leonardo Balerdi (Roma), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Facundo Medina (Bayer Leverkusen), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Roman Vega (Zenit)
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Maximo Perrone (Como), Exequiel Palacios (Ipswich Town), Valentín Barco (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Manchester City), Nicolas Paz (Como), Matias Soule (Roma)
Forwards: Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Thiago Almada (River Plate), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Santiago Castro (Roma), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
When will Argentina play Uruguay and Costa Rica?
Argentina will face Uruguay on November 13, 2026, followed by Costa Rica on November 17, 2026.
Where will Argentina vs Uruguay be played?
The match will be played at Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera) in Buenos Aires.
Where will Argentina vs Costa Rica be played?
The match will take place at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba.
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