Argentina's preliminary list for the World Cup starts with the obvious choices, but also highlights the main question: whether Lionel Messi will participate in the event, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is true that "La Pulga" (The Flea, Messi's nickname) has not given any indication that he will withdraw from the event, but he has also not confirmed his participation. And some see this omission as a potential cause for concern.
The reality is that the Inter Miami star heads the list of 55 players that Lionel Scaloni presented as a preliminary selection. The principle that guides all international competitions is that these players are reserved for the specific tournament, making it impossible for clubs to refuse their participation.
Despite Messi's uncertainty: Scaloni is urging Messi to participate and has included him in the preliminary list for the World Cup.
Last September, Messi raised doubts. "I said the same thing at the time. I don't think I will play another World Cup. Given my age, it's most logical that I won't be there, but we'll see. I'm excited, I want to, and as I've always said, I take it day by day, game by game. That's it, taking it day by day, feeling good, and what's clear is that today was the last one here," he declared after the match against Venezuela in the qualifying rounds.
"The most important thing is to feel good. Above all, to be honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, and if I don't feel good, I suffer and I prefer not to be there. So, we'll see," he emphasized at the time.
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Argentina's preliminary World Cup squad list is based on expected selections, but a key question remains: will Lionel Messi participate in the tournament held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada? While Messi hasn't ruled himself out, he hasn't confirmed his participation, leading some to speculate about his potential absence. The Inter Miami star tops the list of 55 players presented by Lionel Scaloni. The selection process prioritizes players committed to the tournament, making it difficult for clubs to deny their release.
Despite Messi's uncertainty, Scaloni is pushing for his inclusion in the preliminary squad. Last September, Messi expressed doubts about playing another World Cup, citing his age. However, he emphasized the importance of feeling well and enjoying the experience, stating he would make a decision based on how he felt. He added that nine months could pass quickly, but also feel like a long time.
The squad retains the core of the team that won the World Cup in Qatar, including Dibu Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martínez, and Julián Álvarez. Other experienced players include Gerónimo Rulli, Gonzalo Montiel, Marcos Acuña, Guido Rodríguez, and Giovani Lo Celso.
New additions include Giuliano Simeone and Nicolás Paz, who have been frequently considered by Scaloni, along with Santiago Beltrán and Tomás Aranda.
Olé reports that 20 spots are virtually confirmed: Emiliano Martínez, Rulli, Molina, Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Balerdi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Palacios, Almada, Simeone, Paz, Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, José López, and Nicolás González.
The remaining six spots are being contested by Musso, Facundo, Acuña, Facundo Medina, Marcos Senesi, Valentín Barco, Lo Celso, and Mastantuono.
Here is the full list:
* Emiliano Martínez - Aston Villa
* Gerónimo Rulli - Olympique de Marseille
* Juan Musso - Atlético de Madrid
* Walter Benítez - Crystal Palace FC
* Facundo Cambeses - Racing Club
* Santiago Beltrán - River Plate
* Agustín Giay - Palmeiras
* Gonzalo Montiel - River Plate
* Nahuel Molina - Atlético de Madrid
* Nicolás Capaldo - Hamburg SV
* Kevin Mac Allister - Union Saint Gilloise
* Lucas Martínez Quarta - River Plate
* Marcos Senesi - Bournemouth
* Lisandro Martínez - Manchester United
* Nicolás Otamendi - SL Benfica
* Germán Pezzella - River Plate
* Leonardo Balerdi - Olympique de Marseille
* Cristian Romero - Tottenham Hotspur
* Lautaro di Lollo - Boca Juniors
* Zaid Romero - Getafe CF
* Facundo Medina - Olympique de Marseille
* Marcos Acuña - River Plate
* Nicolás Tagliafico - Olympique de Lyon
* Gabriel Rojas - Racing Club
* Máximo Perrone - Calcio Como 1907
* Leandro Paredes - Boca Juniors
* Guido Rodríguez - Valencia CF
* Aníbal Moreno - River Plate
* Milton Delgado - Boca Juniors
* Alan Varela - FC Porto
* Ezequiel Fernández - Bayer Leverkusen
* Rodrigo de Paul - Inter de Miami
* Exequiel Palacios - Bayer Leverkusen
* Enzo Fernández - Chelsea
* Alexis Mac Allister - Liverpool
* Giovani Lo Celso - Real Betis Balompié
* Nicolás Domínguez - Nottingham Forest
* Emiliano Buendía - Aston Villa
* Valentín Barco - Racing Club de Estrasburgo
* Lionel Messi - Inter de Miami
* Nicolás Paz - Calcio Como 1907
* Franco Mastantuono - Real Madrid
* Thiago Almada - Atlético de Madrid
* Tomás Aranda - Boca Juniors
* Nicolás González - Atlético de Madrid
* Alejandro Garnacho - Chelsea
* Giuliano Simeone - Atlético de Madrid
* Matías Soulé - AS Roma
* Claudio Echeverri - Girona Fútbol Club
* Gianluca Prestianni - SL Benfica
* Santiago Castro - Bologna FC
* Lautaro Martínez - Internazionale de Milán
* José Manuel López - Palmeiras
* Julián Álvarez - Atlético de Madrid
* Mateo Pellegrini - Parma Calcio