Superstar Lionel Messi has returned to the Argentina squad for the first time this year to lead the preparation process for the effort to defend the title at Copa America 2024, which takes place in the US from June 20 to July 14. .
Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria are the pillars leading the preparation process for Copa America 2024.
The 8-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 8 goals in 8 matches in 2023, including 3 goals in 5 2026 World Cup qualifying matches to help Argentina take the lead with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss, with 15 points. But Messi was absent from Argentina’s first two matches in 2024, a 3-0 win over El Salvador and 3-1 against Costa Rica in friendly matches in the US in March. The 36-year-old superstar was injured at the time. injured his hamstring, but he is currently in relatively good shape, and is helping Inter Miami get off to a strong start in MLS.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has included 22 of the 26 players in the 2022 World Cup winning squad. Notably missing from this list are Paulo Dybala (AS Roma), Juan Foyth (Villarreal) or Thiago Almada (Atlanta United). FC). In particular, captain Messi and veteran striker Angel Di Maria (Benfica) are the pillars leading the 29-member team in this preparation process. Argentina will play friendly matches against Ecuador on June 9 and Guatemala five days later – all taking place in the United States.
According to regulations, Coach Scaloni will finalize the main 26 players participating in the tournament before June 15. Argentina – the defending world and South American champion – opens Group A at Copa America 2024 against Canada on June 20 in Atlanta, then plays Chile on June 25, and Peru on June 29.
Argentina’s preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Man.United), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Valentin Barco (Brighton).
Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham) , Valentin Carboni (Monza).
Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Man.United), Nicolas Gonzalez (FC Porto), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) Julian Alvarez (Man. City).
