The captain, Lionel Messi, the red and white Julian Alvarez and the novelty of Joaquín Panichelli, former of Alavés and Mirandés and with an excellent presence in Strasbourg, appear in the call offered this Thursday by the Argentine coachLionel Scalonifor the friendly match against Angola next week.
After closing an outstanding participation in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in September as leader and defeating Venezuela and Puerto Rico in friendly matches in the United States in October, the Albiceleste continues its preparation for next year’s competition and will play the last match of 2025 on November 14.
For the match, which will be held in the Angolan city of LuandaScaloni appealed to the same player base that played in the qualifiers while continuing to test new names with a view to the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Prestianni, also new
On this occasion, Joaquín Panichelli, striker who shines for French side Strasbourg to the point of being the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 9 goals in 11 games, and Gianluca Prestianni, attacker of the Portuguese Benfica who shone with the light blue and white in the U-20 World Cup held last month in Chile, are the new faces in the squad of the national team that will have Messi as captain.
Among those called up, the ‘Araña’ also stands out, in excellent form with Atlético de Madrid – of which Thiago Almada, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás González and Giuliano Simeone are also called up -, and Alexis Mac Allisterpillar of the English Liverpool midfield.
‘Dibu’ and Mastantuono, absent
The most notable absences are those of the goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, to give him rest, and Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid attacker who was not included due to injury.
Players who play in Argentine soccer were not included either, such as Leandro Paredesfrom Boca Juniors, and Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuñafrom River Plate.
The decision was announced this Thursday by the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio Tapia, which he explained was due to the importance of the duels in the coming days in the final stretch of the Clausura Tournament.
Nico Paz, present
Those who will be on the team are the steering wheel Nicolás Paz (As 1907) and the forward José Manuel López (Palmeiras)who had already been included in the last calls, and the defender Marcos Senesi, of the English Bournemouth, who returned to the Albiceleste in the October friendlies after several months of absence.
With a view to the duel against Angola, the Argentine team will meet in Elche (Spain) on November 10 to begin training and will fly to Luanda on the 13th.
Called list
Goalkeepers: Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace, ENG) and Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille, FRA).
Defenders: Juan Foyth (Villarreal, ESP), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur, ENG), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica, POR), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique de Lyon, FRA), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth, ENG) and Valentín Barco (Racing Club de Strasbourg, FRA).
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, ENG), Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Nicolás Paz (Como 1907, ITA), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami, USA), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis, ESP), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, ENG) and Máximo Perrone (Como 1907, ITA).
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Fronts: Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Nicolás González (Juventus, ITA), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, USA), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, ITA), José Manuel López (Palmeiras, BRA), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica, POR) and Joaquín Panichelli (Racing Club de Strasbourg, FRA).
