Argentina name Lionel Messi, Man United and Liverpool stars in Copa America squad

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has announced his 29-man squad for two friendlies as the team prepares for the Copa America, Soccernet.football reports.

The World Cup champions will play Ecuador and Guatemala next month before facing Canada in the tournament opener on June 20.

Inter Miami star and reigning FIFA Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi leads the squad, which also features several Premier League players.

Manchester United duo of Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and Nottingham Forest’s Gonzalo Montiel are all included.

Other Premier League names in the squad are Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, and Brighton’s young talent Valentin Barco.

Argentina are the reigning Copa America champions, after La Albiceleste defeated hosts Brazil in the final of the last edition in 2021.

This year’s Copa America, to be hosted by the United States, will run from June 20 to July 14, 2024.

Argentina full squad for the Copa America:

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Lucas Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso

Forwards: Angel Di Maria, Valentin Carboni, Lionel Messi, Angel Correa, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez