Buenos Aires, May 16 (H.S.): The Argentina football team has received a significant boost ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. Captain Lionel Messi is making a return to the team.
The Argentina Football Association announced on Thursday that Messi will take the field against Chile and Colombia in the World Cup qualifiers scheduled for June.
The 37-year-old Inter Miami star Messi was not part of the team in March due to an injury. He had a groin (adductor) injury. Despite this setback, Argentina qualified for next year’s World Cup by defeating Uruguay and Brazil.
The Argentina team will face Chile on June 5 at their home ground, which is currently struggling. This will be followed by a match against Colombia, who are in sixth place, on June 10 in Buenos Aires. After these two matches, Messi will return to America, where Inter Miami will face Egypt’s Al Ahly in their first match of the World Cup on June 14.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has announced a squad of 28 players, which includes the return of young forward Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. He was left out of the team last time for tactical reasons. Meanwhile, injured Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Montiel are not part of the squad.
Defender Nicolas Otamendi and midfielders Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes will not be able to play in the first match due to suspensions. However, all three have been included in the squad. Defender Marcos Acuña and German Pezzella were not included in the team this time.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
