Argentina Announces First Post-Messi Squad for November Friendlies

Argentina named a 28-man list for November friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, marking the first call-up since Lionel Messi's retirement.

Argentina’s football federation announced a 28-man squad on Tuesday for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay on Nov. 13 in Buenos Aires and Costa Rica on Nov. 17 in Córdoba. This roster represents the first selection since Lionel Messi retired from international football following his 208th cap, a match where he scored his 126th goal in a 3-0 victory over Benin.

Lionel Scaloni’s list includes Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who is selected despite recently undergoing jaw surgery following an injury against Everton. He joins a goalkeeping group featuring Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, and Santiago Beltrán. Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino, 21, earned his first senior call-up; the $18 million signing has yet to play official minutes under Xabi Alonso this season after sustaining an injury in a friendly against Johor.

The Premier League is further represented by Manchester City’s Enzo Fernández, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, and Ipswich Town’s Exequiel Palacios. From Serie A, the squad features Roma's Santiago Castro, Matìas Soulè, and Leonardo Balerdi, alongside Como’s Máximo Perrone and Parma’s Mariano Troilo.

Additional selections include Atlético Madrid trio Julián Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone, and Juan Musso, as well as Bayer Leverkusen’s Facundo Medina and Ezequiel Fernández. Domestic-based players from River Plate include Thiago Almada and Gonzalo Montiel, while Palmeiras contributors Agustín Giay and José Manuel López also earned spots. The list is completed by Lyon’s Nicolás Tagliafico, Zenit’s Román Vega, Fiorentina’s Franco Mastantuono, and Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.