Scaloni names first Argentina squad since Messi's farewell

Lionel Scaloni has announced Argentina's first squad since Lionel Messi retired from the national team last month.

Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup and Copa América glory, had decided to bring his international career to an end. Without their former captain, who bowed out with a goal against Benin during the previous international break, la Albiceleste are stepping into a new era.

Key figures such as Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández and Lisandro Martínez have earned places in the squad, while the injured Cristian Romero was left out. Nico Paz and Matías Soulé, who have caught the eye with impressive performances for Como and Roma, kept their places, while Lautaro Martínez, still sidelined by a thigh injury, was not included.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who suffered a fractured jaw last month, has been called up by Scaloni.

During this international break, Argentina will face Uruguay on 13 November before taking on Costa Rica four days later.

Argentina squad:

Emiliano Martínez (Chelsea), Gerónimo Rulli (Manchester City), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid), Santiago Beltrán (River Plate); Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Agustín Giay (Palmeiras), Aarón Anselmino (Chelsea), Mariano Troilo (Parma), Leonardo Balerdi (Roma), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Facundo Medina (Bayer Leverkusen), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Román Vega (Zenit), Ezequiel Fernández (Bayer Leverkusen), Máximo Perrone (Como), Exequiel Palacios (Ipswich Town), Valentín Barco (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Manchester City), Nico Paz (Como), Matías Soulé (Roma), Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Thiago Almada (River Plate), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Santiago Gómez (Roma), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid).