Russia 2018: Argentina Unveils Squad To Tackle Super Eagles, Others

Argentina’s squad to June’s FIFA World Cup in Russia that will tackle Nigeria’s Super Eagles and other national teams has been unveiled.

Lionel Messi and Manuel Lanzini are among the 23 players named by Argentina coach, Jorge Sampaoli in his roster for the 2018 World Cup. But there is no place for Inter Milan skipper, Mauro Icardi.

The squad also includes Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Manchester United pair Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo, as well as Chelsea goalkeeper, Willy Caballero.In the team are three goalkeepers, six defenders, nine midfielders and five strikers, including Juventus pair, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala.

Franco Armani (River Plate), Maxi Meza (Independiente) and Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors) are the three Argentinian-based players selected.The Albiceleste is in the same group with Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria, who it will face for the fifth time in the World Cup at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26.

The full team is goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Franco Armani (River Plate) and Willy Caballero (Chelsea).Defenders:  Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Federico Fazio (Roma), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Cristian Ansaldi (Inter Milan), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax) and Marcos Rojo (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ever Banega (Sevilla), Javier Mascherano (Hebei China Fortune), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Gio Lo Celso (PSG), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Maxi Meza (Independiente) and Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon).Strikers: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors) and Paulo Dybala (Juventus).

Packaged by Alice Egbedele with additional reports from guardian.ng