The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward will play in his sixth World Cup, extending his national record, while Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez are among the 17 players returning from the team that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.
Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the team that won Argentina’s third world title, although veteran winger Ángel Di María was not considered after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa América.
Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury, returned for his second final after being part of the Argentina team in Russia 2018 without making an appearance.
Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team’s next generation, including Valentín Barco, Nicolás Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards José Manuel López and Thiago Almada are among those taking part in the World Cup for the first time.
Local media reports said left-back Marcos Acuña, part of the 2022 title-winning team, missed out due to health issues.
Argentina will open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Jordan and Austria.
Equipment
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso.
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández.
Forwards: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolás González, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás Paz, José Manuel López, Lautaro Martínez.
