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Argentina names first post-Messi squad for November friendlies
Argentina announced a 28-man squad for November friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, the first call-up since Lionel Messi's international retirement. The squad includes uncapped players Aarón Anselmino and Mariano Troilo, while notable absences include injured players Cristian Romero and Lautaro Martínez, and midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso.
Quick Facts
- Argentina announced 28-man squad for friendlies
- First squad since Messi's international retirement
- Uncapped players Anselmino and Troilo called up
- Gonzalo Montiel recalled to squad
- Several injured players excluded
Related Insights
Argentina Just Named Their First Squad Without Messi 😳 60 Second Brief · YouTube
Argentina's football federation announced a 28-man squad on November 3 for friendlies against Uruguay (November 13) and Costa Rica (November 17), marking the first national team call-up since Lionel Messi's retirement from international football in October. Manager Lionel Scaloni included several uncapped players, most notably Chelsea defender Aarón Anselmino, 21, who has not yet played official minutes under club manager Xabi Alonso this season, and Parma defender Mariano Troilo, 21, who was called up in 2025 but never debuted.
Key absences from the squad include midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso, who featured only in Messi's farewell ceremony, and several injured players: captain Cristian Romero, striker Lautaro Martínez, and winger Nicolás González. Additionally, World Cup winners Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina remain unavailable; Paredes has served three of his ten-match ban and Molina three of his seven-match ban following incidents in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
The squad retains experienced players including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (Chelsea), who underwent surgery for a fractured jaw sustained against Everton and has not returned to action, midfielder Enzo Fernández (Manchester City), defender Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), and forward Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid). Scaloni also recalled River Plate defender Gonzalo Montiel after excluding him from the first squad following the 2026 World Cup.
Young talent features prominently, including midfielder Nico Paz (Como), forward Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina), midfielder Valentín Barco (Chelsea), midfielder Matías Soulé (Roma), defender Román Vega (Zenit), and midfielder Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica). This blend of youth and experience reflects Scaloni's strategy to rebuild the team for future competitions, particularly the 2030 World Cup. Messi, who retired after 21 years and 208 appearances, scored his final goal in a 3-0 friendly against Benin in early October.
Topics
Why This Matters
Argentina names its first national squad since Messi's retirement after 21 years and 208 caps, marking a structural shift in team composition. Manager Scaloni includes uncapped talent (Anselmino, Troilo) alongside experience, while injuries and disciplinary suspensions (Paredes: 3 of 10 matches; Molina: 3 of 7 matches from 2026 World Cup incidents) narrow available options. The November friendlies (vs. Uruguay, Costa Rica) serve as formative tests before World Cup 2030 qualification campaigns; squad changes and youth integration will signal tactical direction and injury recovery timelines affecting club-country scheduling.
Timeline & Sources
Aug 31, 2026
WireLionel Messi officially announces international retirement
Oct 6, 2026
WireMessi plays final international match, scores goal in 3-0 win vs Benin
Nov 3, 2026
WireArgentina announces 28-man squad for Uruguay and Costa Rica friendlies, first since Messi retirement
Nov 13, 2026
WireArgentina vs Uruguay friendly at La Bombonera, Buenos Aires
Nov 17, 2026
WireArgentina vs Costa Rica friendly at Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, Córdoba
Related Signals
Sources
- Chelsea's Anselmino earns Argentina call-upxinhuaMediaNov 4, 2026
- Argentina sets first call-up without Lionel Messi for November friendliesESPNMediaNov 4, 2026
- Scaloni names first Argentina squad since Messi retirementFotMobMediaNov 3, 2026
- Emiliano Martínez, Valentín Barco, Aarón Anselmino called up by ArgentinaYahoo SportsMediaNov 4, 2026
- Anselmino earns first Argentina call-up days after Alonso said he needed more weeksLiveScoreMediaNov 4, 2026
- The post-Messi era begins: new faces and absences in Argentina's first squadGoal.comMediaNov 3, 2026