Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has selected a 26-man squad for this summer's Copa America in the United States.
La Albiceleste are hoping to win a third consecutive major international tournament after coming out on top at the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.
Three years ago, Angel Di Maria scored the decisive goal in the final showdown against Brazil to guide his country to their first Copa America triumph since 1993.
Less than 18 months later, Argentina were celebrating their first World Cup success since 1986 after prevailing in a penalty shootout against France.
With Argentina targeting more silverware, they will warm up for their Copa America defence with two friendlies against Ecuador on June 9 and Guatemala on June 13.
Scaloni's side will then face Canada in their tournament opener on June 20, before they conclude the group stage with games against Chile and Peru.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at Argentina's 26-man squad, focusing on the key names and notable players that have missed the cut.
Messi set to lead Argentina into Copa America 2024
© Reuters
There was speculation as to whether Lionel Messi would continue to play international football after leading his country to their third World Cup trophy in 2022.
The 36-year-old ultimately decided against international retirement and is now preparing to represent Argentina at a 12th major tournament after being named in Scaloni's squad.
Argentina's record appearance holder and goalscorer will head into the tournament in fine form, having scored 13 goals and contributed 11 assists in 14 competitive matches for Inter Miami this season.
Messi is joined in the squad by several other established names, including the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolas Tagliafico and Di Maria.
Several Premier League stars make the cut
© Reuters
Seven Premier League teams are represented in the Argentina squad, including Premier League champions Manchester City.
Fresh from helping the Citizens win a fourth consecutive league title, Julian Alvarez will be looking to claim more silverware in the summer months.
Alvarez will travel to the United States in a confident mood after enjoying a productive domestic campaign, registering 19 goals and 13 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Manchester United supporters will be keeping an eye on Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho after the pair made the cut.
Martinez has been included in the selection despite spending large periods of the domestic season on the sidelines with injury issues.
The defender returned to fitness to play a role in Man United's final three games of the season, including the 2-1 success in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Garnacho got on the scoresheet in that Wembley showdown, ensuring that he finished the campaign with 10 goals and five assists in 50 competitive matches.
Tottenham Hotspur have a couple of representatives in Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso, while there are also places for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Nottingham Forest's Gonzalo Montiel.
Unsurprisingly, Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez has been included after winning the Golden Glove Award at the 2022 World Cup.
Dybala misses out on selection
© Reuters
Paulo Dybala played a small part in Argentina's World Cup success, featuring as a late substitute in the semi-final and final.
However, the playmaker will not have the chance to help his country at his summer's tournament, having been left out of Scaloni's travelling part despite enjoying a productive campaign with Roma.
Dybala was nominated for the Serie A's Best Attacker award after scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists in 28 league appearances.
The 30-year-old registered more goalscoring contributions than any of his Roma teammates, but his efforts were not enough to convince Scaloni to take him to the United States.
After leaving Dybala out of the squad altogether, Scaloni had to make more tough decisions when he cut three players from his provisional selection.
Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion defender Valentin Barco was among those to miss out after travelling to the USA for the warm-up games against Ecuador and Guatemala.
Like Barco, Marseille centre-back Leonardo Balerdi and Atletico Madrid attacker Angel Correa failed to convince Scaloni to include them in the final 26-man squad.
Argentina's Copa America 2024 squad
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur), Valentin Carboni (Monza)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Angel Di Maria (Benfica) Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
Manager - Lionel Scaloni
© Reuters
Scaloni enjoyed a long playing career, which saw him represent the likes of Deportivo La Coruna, West Ham United and Lazio.
His most successful period as a player took place at Deportivo, with the right-back winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups during his time with the Galician side.
After hanging up his boots in 2015, Scaloni worked as an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla and Argentina, before he eventually replaced the 64-year-old following a last-16 exit at the 2018 World Cup.
Scaloni fell short in his first major tournament as manager, with his side losing 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2019 Copa America.
Since that disappointment, the 46-year-old has etched his name in Argentinian football history, winning back-to-back major tournaments.
He led his country to success at the 2021 Copa America, before he ended his country's 36-year wait for World Cup glory in 2022.
Scaloni will now attempt to become just the third manager to guide La Albiceleste to two or more Copa America titles.
Star player - Lionel Messi
© Reuters
At the age of 36, Messi still remains Argentina's talisman and will be crucial to their hopes of winning a third consecutive major tournament.
Having entered the latter stages of his career, Messi may not have the legs to do too much work off the ball, but he still has the magic in his feet to produce game-changing moments.
The Argentina legend enters the tournament in red-hot form, having enjoyed a productive campaign with MLS side Inter Miami.
Messi has racked up 12 goals and nine assists in 12 MLS appearances, including six goal contributions in May's 6-2 victory over New York Red Bulls.
He also warm-up with two goals and an assist in the recent 4-1 friendly victory over Guatemala, highlighting that he is still a force to be reckoned with.
Form
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
Group and fixtures
June 21: Argentina 2-0 Canada (1am | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
June 26: Chile 0-1 Argentina (2am | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford)
June 30: Argentina 2-0 Peru (1am | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)
All kickoff times BST
Expected XI
E Martinez; Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Acuna; Mac Allister, Paredes, De Paul; Messi, Gonzalez, Alvarez
