Lionel Messi Again Strengthens Argentina national team

DBasia.news –  After the 2018 World Cup, Lionel Messi no longer strengthened the Argentine national team in several friendly matches.

The AFA, as the Argentine Football Federation, understands Messi’s decision that he still feels great disappointment after the failure at the 2018 World Cup. France eliminated Argentina in the big 16 phase – then France advanced to the final and won the 2018 World Cup.

Not just knocked out, the pressure felt by Messi was also great because he carried the responsibility to bring his country to a big trophy, as Diego Maradona had done. Moreover, Messi has achieved everything with   Barcelona.

However, Lionel Scaloni, Argentina national team coach, kept his promise and called Messi back into the team squad. Scaloni once said in December, if the chance to recall Messi into the Argentina squad is still there.

“I don’t talk to Messi often, but we have a relationship. We will try to call him to join us in 2019, our conversation is delayed and we are optimistic that it will be positive,” Scaloni said at the time.

Now, Messi is back in the Argentina squad which will play a test match against Venezuela and Morocco. Both matches are part of Argentina’s preparation for the 2019 Copa America.

Messi is expected to be able to lead Argentina who is regenerating after senior players like Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia retired after the 2018 World Cup.

Scaloni called on several young men in his squads such as Juan Foyth, Ivan Marcone, Dario Benedetto, and Renzo Saravia. But, he did not call on the attacker whose performance was good with Manchester City, Sergio Aguero.

Allegedly, Aguero was not called because of his commotion with Scaloni. The coach denied it and gave an explanation of why he did not call Aguero.

“I want to clarify my relationship with him perfectly,” Scaloni said.

“I heard and read that I was arguing, and that was completely wrong. I want to emphasize that there is no problem and our relationship remains the same, he is an extraordinary man. “

“I talked to him in August when we discussed the situation. In terms of football, he is on an extraordinary level, but I have to call on players who don’t get much chance with this jersey. “We think it’s good to see more players and not always depend on them,” Scaloni explained.

Here are the names of Scaloni in the Argentina squad against Venezuela and Morocco:

Goalkeeper:   Agustin Marchesin (Club America), Franco Armani (River Plate), Esteban Andrada (Boca Juniors), Juan Musso (Udinese)

Back:   Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax Amsterdam), German Pezzella (Fiorentina), Walter Kannemann (Gremio), Renzo Saravia (Racing), Juan Foyth (Tottenham Hotspur ), Lisandro Martinez (Defensa y Justicia), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)

Midfielder:   Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Roberto Pereyra (Watford), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United), Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese), Guido Rodriguez (Club America), Federico Zaracho (Racing), Ivan Marcone (Boca Juniors), Domingo Blanco (Defensa y Justicia)

Striker:   Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Dario Benedetto (Boca Juniors), Gonzalo Martinez (Atlanta United), Matias Suarez (River Plate)