Lionel Scaloni revealed the first call-up of the Argentine National Team post Messi

Midfielders

• Ezequiel Fernández (Bayer Leverkusen)

• Máximo Perrone (Como 1907)

Forwards

• Matías Soulé (Roma)

• Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina)

• Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)

• Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica)

• Thiago Almada (River)

• José Manuel López (Palmeiras)

• Santiago Castro (Roma)

• Julián Alvarez (Atlético de Madrid)
  

The beginning of a new cycle for the Argentine National Team is starting to take shape after the farewell of Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi. With an eye on the future and the renewal of the squad, Lionel Scaloni presented the call-up of 28 players for the friendlies against Uruguay, at La Bombonera, and Costa Rica, in Córdoba, which will mark the end of the national team's activities for the year.

Among the main news is Aaron Anselmino, who received his first call-up to the senior national team. The 21-year-old defender, who came from Boca, managed to make the leap to European football after playing just 18 matches with the xeneize jersey, before being transferred to Chelsea for 18 million dollars plus performance bonuses.

His journey in the Old Continent has been marked by various loans and some physical problems. After his time at Borussia Dortmund and Racing Strasbourg, he returned to the English team, although a injury suffered during a friendly against Johor from Malaysia prevented him from adding minutes under Xabi Alonso's management.

Another addition is Máximo Perrone, a teammate of Nico Paz at Como 1907, who will have an opportunity to showcase himself in Scaloni's team. Additionally, Mariano Troilo will return to a call-up after his first selection in May 2025, when he was included for the qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia, although he did not debut at that time.

Meanwhile, Gonzalo Montiel also reappeared on the list after missing the friendlies in September and October. The right-back is once again available to the coach in a squad that presents several changes compared to the last appearances of the Albiceleste.

One particular situation involves Emiliano Martínez. The Chelsea goalkeeper was included despite the jaw injury he suffered weeks ago and for which he had to undergo surgery. Since he has not yet returned to activity with his club, Scaloni decided to also call up Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, and Santiago Beltrán, to have alternatives in case of an eventual absence of the Mar del Plata native.

On the contrary, the list presents some significant absences. Cristian Romero and Lautaro Martínez were left out due to various injuries, while Rodrigo De Paul was not called up by the coaching staff, as part of the search for new alternatives for generational change. Giovani Lo Celso also does not appear among the selected.

These absences are joined by those of Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes, who must serve a suspension, in addition to the aforementioned farewells of Messi and Otamendi from the national team. Finally, Milton Delgado and Leonel Flores were also not included, as they will have commitments with Boca during that same weekend: the Ribera team will face Banfield in the semifinals of the Copa Argentina.

In this way, Scaloni begins to outline a new phase for the Argentine National Team, with new faces, returns, and important absences. The matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica will serve as first tests to evaluate alternatives and start building the squad for the upcoming international challenges.

All the called-up players for the November FIFA date

Goalkeepers

• Emiliano Martínez (Chelsea)

• Gerónimo Rulli (Manchester City)

• Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid)

• Santiago Beltrán (River)

Defenders

• Gonzalo Montiel (River)

• Agustín Giay (Palmeiras)

• Aaron Anselmino (Chelsea)

• Mariano Troilo (Parma)

• Leonardo Balerdi (Roma)

• Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)