Barça star Messi headlines Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru with Barcelona captain Lionel Messi headlining his selection. 

Messi is one of five players called up from the Spanish league along with: Neuhén Pérez (Granada), Marcos Acuña, Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla) and Guido Rodríguez (Betis).

The rest of the squad is comprised of: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Agustín Marchesín (Porto), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Lens), Lucas M. Quarta (Fiorentina), Nicolás Tagliafico (Ajax), Walter Kannemann (Gremio), Rodrigo de Paul, Roberto Pereyra (Udinese), Nicolás Domínguez (Bologna), Alejandro Gómez (Atalanta), Ángel di María, Leandro Paredes (PSG), Exequiel Palacios, Lucas Alario (Bayer Leverkusen), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Joaquín Correa (Lazio), Nicolás González (Stuttgart) and Lautaro Martínez (Inter).

DI MARIA BACK 

The return of Angel di Maria, who hasn't played for Argentina since the Copa America in Brazil, is among the big news, while Roberto Pereyra, Nicolás González, Walter Kannemann and Agustín Marchesín are also back. Gio Simeone is perhaps the biggest omission. 

Argentina won their first to qualifiers for Qatar 2022, beating Ecuador 1-0 and Bolivia 2-1. They play Paraguay on Nov. 12 at the Bombonera and visit Peru in Lima on Nov. 17. 

#SelecciónMayor Lista de futbolistas convocados del exterior para los próximos encuentros de Eliminatorias ante #Paraguay 🇵🇾 y #Perú 🇵🇪 pic.twitter.com/bLjBRv8IdA

— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) 6 de noviembre de 2020