Lionel Messi, the official announcement

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed his expanded roster for the Copa America. Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi is one of them.

We will see Lionel Messi in the Argentina jersey this summer! For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this still remains to be seen, but for the Copa America, it is now a given. Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine coach, communicated on Monday a first extended list of 29 players pre-selected for the tournament, which will take place in the United States from June 20 to July 14. And, unsurprisingly, the Inter Miami striker is one of them.

Unless he is among the three internationals ousted before the start of the competition, which seems very unlikely, the eight-time Ballon d’Or will therefore be there to defend the title obtained by the Albiceleste during the previous edition , in 2021. At his side, in attack, the 2022 world champions will be able to count on Angel Correa, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas González, Lautaro Martínez and Julian Alvarez. Paulo Dybala is the big absentee.

Argentina with two Ligue 1 players, without Dybala

Note that two players playing in Ligue 1, two defenders, were selected by Lionel Scaloni: Leonardo Balerdi, who is rewarded for his good season with OM, Nicolas Tagliafico, who plays for OL. Before the start of this 2024 Copa America, the Argentines will play two friendly matches against Guatemala and Ecuador. In the group stage, they will face Canada (June 21), Chile (June 26) and Peru (June 30).

Argentina’s expanded roster for Copa America 2024

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez.

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Lucas M. Quarta, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuña, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentín Barco.

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Giovani Lo Celso, Angel Di María and Valentin Carboni.

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Angel Correa, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas González, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.