Legendary footballer Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s preliminary 55-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, as coach Lionel Scaloni begins shaping his team for the title defence following their triumph in 2022.
Romero, although currently sidelined for the remainder of the Premier League season due to injury, has still been included as Argentina assesses their options ahead of the final squad selection.Messi remains the record holder for most World Cup appearances, having played 26 matches in the competition.
In Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning campaign, Messi registered 10 goal contributions each, becoming the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to reach that milestone in a single tournament.Argentina aim to become the first back-to-back male world champions since Brazil in 1962. However, recent history is against them; three of the last four defending champions were eliminated in the group stage.
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico de Madrid), Walter Benitez (Crystal Palace FC), Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club), Santiago Beltran (River Plate)Defenders: Agustin Giay (Palmeiras), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico de Madrid), Nicolas Capaldo (Hamburger SV), Kevin Mac Allister (Union Saint Gilloise), Lucas Martinez Quarta (River Plate), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (SL Benfica), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Lautaro Di Lollo (Boca Juniors), Zaid Romero (Getafe CF), Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille), Marcos Acuna (River Plate), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Gabriel Rojas (Racing Club)