Buenos Aires (Argentina), May 15 (LaPresse) – Lionel Messi will lead Argentina in the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia. For the 37-year-old Inter Miami star, it marks a return to the national team after a groin injury that had sidelined him from the previous matches (both won by Argentina) against Uruguay and Brazil in March.
The reigning world champions will face Chile away on June 5 and Colombia in Buenos Aires on June 10. Messi will then return to the United States to play in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup on June 14, where Inter Miami will face Egypt’s Al Ahly.
Among the 28 players called up by coach Lionel Scaloni is Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho, returning to the squad after being left out of the previous matches for tactical reasons.
Against Chile, Scaloni will be without defender Nicolás Otamendi and midfielders Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes, who are suspended despite being called up. Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Montiel are out due to injury, while Scaloni has opted not to include defenders Marcos Acuña and Germán Pezzella.
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