Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the 24-man roster for the upcoming friendly match against Angola next week, with Inter Miami duo Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul at the top.
Scaloni failed to sign any players playing in the Argentine Primera Division after the league announced that competitions would not be paused during the November international transfer window.
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Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia said: “We spoke with Scaloni to ensure that players from Argentine teams who are playing decisive matches in the final tournament will not be summoned.”
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano “Depo” Martinez has also been excluded from the squad that will face Angola in the African country on November 14.
However, Scaloni recalled the Inter Miami players, despite the possibility of Messi and De Paul being in a playoff spot with the MLS club. If Inter Miami beats Nashville on Saturday, the club will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals on November 22 or 23.
De Paul and Messi also formed part of the October squad Albicelesti With MLS still operating through the FIFA window. Although Messi only played in one of the two friendlies in October, De Paul played in the matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
The Argentina national team has two call-ups for the first time. Joaquín Panicelli, the top scorer in Strasbourg and the French League, and Benfica winger Gianluca Pristiani, who shone for La Albiceleste in the FIFA U-20 World Cup held last month in Chile.
Argentina are now preparing to travel to Luanda, Angola, for their only friendly match of the November window.
