Messi, Aguero, Dybala in Argentine squad for Copa America
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/05/messi-aguero-dybala-in-argentine-squad.html
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala of Juventus and
Sergio Aguero of Manchester City headed the 23-man Copa America squad
announced by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on Tuesday.
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Paris Saint Germain winger Angel Di Maria was also included but there
was no place for striker Gonzalo Higuain, who is on loan at Chelsea
from Juventus.
“These are the best players in an important time for the national
team,” said Scaloni ahead of the tournament hosted by Brazil, which
begins on June 14.
Argentina will play in Group B alongside Colombia, Paraguay and
guests Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts and current Asian champions.
Messi, who only returned to the Argentina squad in March after an
eight-month absence following the World Cup in Russia, will turn 32
during the competition.
Di Maria, like Messi, made his post-World Cup return in March ahead
of friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco, but Manchester City’s
Aguero had not been called up since Argentina’s 4-3 last 16 defeat to
eventual champions France in Russia.
Another high-profile omission was Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi,
who has been left out of the Italian team’s line-up for the last two
months over a dispute regarding a contract renewal.
“Keeping everyone happy is difficult,” admitted Scaloni, who said
he’d had “doubts right until the end” over the final squad make-up.
Argentina have not won the Copa America, or any major international
tournament, since 1993, losing in the final in four of the last five
editions of the continental showpiece.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Agustin Marchesin (America Mexico/MEX), Franco Armani (River Plate), Esteban Andrada (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: German Pezzela (Fiorentina/ITA), Juan
Foyth (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG),
Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/NED), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Renzo
Saravia (Racing Club), Ramiro Funes Mori (Villarreal/ESP), Milton Casco
(River Plate)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria (both
Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guido Rodriguez (America Mexico/MEX), Giovani
Lo Celso (Real Betis/ESP), Roberto Pereyra (Watford/ENG), Rodrigo De
Paul (Udinese/ITA), Exequiel Palacios (River Plate)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Sergio
Aguero (Manchester City/ENG), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Lautaro
Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Matias Suarez (River Plate)