Argentina calls up Messi and adds new faces for friendly against Guatemala

BUENOS AIRES. — The Argentina national football team announced its list of call-ups for the friendly against Guatemala, with the return of its captain Lionel Messi and the inclusion of new figures, in a match that will serve as preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

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The coach Lionel Scaloni announced the squad for the match on March 31st at La Bombonera, which will mark the farewell of the albiceleste team to their fans before the World Cup. Among the main novelties, the presence of the young Gianluca Prestianni stands out, as well as the first call-ups of defenders Tomás Palacios and Gabriel Rojas, in a clear commitment to expand the variants in the defensive zone. The list also maintains the base of the world champion team, with names like Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, in addition to references like Leandro Paredes, Marcos Acuña and Gonzalo Montiel, who currently play in Argentine football. Regarding absences, Lautaro Martínez and Lisandro Martínez were not included, both out due to injuries, as well as Franco Mastantuono, who did not manage to establish himself in this stage with the national team. The match against Guatemala takes on special relevance, as it could represent one of Messi’s last matches with the national team on Argentine soil, depending on his participation in future friendly matches prior to the World Cup. The Albiceleste is in Group J of the World Cup along with Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and will debut on June 16 in Kansas City. Before the start of the tournament, Scaloni’s team plans to play at least two additional friendlies on US soil, fine-tuning details for the defense of the title. With this call-up, Argentina combines experience and youth in the quest to arrive in optimal conditions at the world’s biggest football event.