Messi leads Argentina squad for Nov. WC Qualifiers despite injury concerns

Lionel Messi headlines Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers for November 2021.

Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina's squad for 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil despite injury concerns, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Wednesday.

Messi missed PSG's 2-2 draw at Leipzig in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday because of hamstring and knee problems, though they are understood not to be serious.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni also included Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, who has recovered a thigh injury that left him out of the Albiceleste's October qualifiers.

The 34-man squad also includes newcomers Enzo Fernandez, Santiago Simon, Exequiel Zeballos, Cristian Medina, Gaston Avila, Federico Gomes and Matias Soule.

Argentina will meet Uruguay in Montevideo on November 12 and Brazil in Buenos Aires four days later.

Argentina squads, Provisional Players List for World Cup qualifiers for November 2021

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG), Juan Musso (Atalanta/ITA), Esteban Andrada (Monterrey/MEX)



Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla/ESP), Nahuel Molina Lucero (Udinese/ITA), Juan Foyth (Villarreal/ESP), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina/ITA), German Pezzella (Real Betis/ESP), Cristian Romero (Tottenham/ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica/POR), Lisandro Martinez (Ajax/NED), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla/ESP), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/NED)



Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Exequiel Palacios (Bayern Leverkusen/GER), Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis/ESP), Nicolas Dominguez (Bologna/ITA), Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham/ENG), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla/ESP)



Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Lucas Alario (Bayern Leverkusen/GER), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan/ITA), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina/ITA), Julian Alvarez (River Plate)




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