OFFICIAL: Lionel Messi included in Argentina squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named captain Lionel Messi in the squad for La Albiceleste's November FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru. The reigning world champions are set to continue with their quest to reach the 2026 edition of the Mundial, which will take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, this month.
Messi has been in fine form since his return to international football, having missed out on September's games through injury.
The Inter Miami captain was out with an ankle problem he picked up in July's Copa America final and only returned to action for his country last month. He scored a hat-trick in his most recent game for La Albiceleste, a 6-0 win over Bolivia on home soil.
Scaloni has once again turned to Lionel Messi to captain the Argentina national team this month, having released his 28-man list for their upcoming games. The Copa America champions will play against Paraguay in Asuncion on November 15 before taking on Peru in Buenos Aires five days later.
Since featuring for his country against Venezuela and Bolivia last month, Messi has featured in three games for Inter Miami. He scored a hat-trick in the first of those games, a 6-2 win over New England Revolution, but drew blanks in both of the other games against Atlanta United in the playoffs.
Messi will play once more against Atlanta United in a decisive Game Three of their playoff first-round meeting before heading out to meet his Argentina teammates.
Aston Villa stars join Lionel Messi on Argentina duty
Argentina stars Emiliano Martinez and Enzo Barrenechea have been called up to play alongside Lionel Messi for the national team. The pair were named on the list of players to prosecute this month's FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the CONMEBOL region for La Albiceleste.
2024 Yacine Award winner Martinez has not played for his country since September, having been suspended for both October games. The Aston Villa man is a key member of the national team, where he is the undisputed first choice when he is fit.
Aston Villa signed midfielder Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus in the summer and sent him on loan to Valencia. There, the 23-year-old has impressed, scoring one goal in seven LaLiga games for Los Che as he eyes a future return to his parent club.
Barrenechea has received his first senior call-up from Lionel Scaloni, who also called up him to play for the U-20s for the first time back in 2018.