Argentina’s national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, has announced a 24-player roster for an upcoming friendly match against Angola scheduled for November 14. The squad will prominently feature Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, reflecting their continued importance to the team.
Notably absent from the roster are players from Argentina’s Primera Division, as the league will not pause for the international window. Argentine soccer federation president Claudio Tapia confirmed that discussions were held with Scaloni to ensure players involved in critical matches in the Clausura Tournament were not called up.
Additionally, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez has also been left off the list for the Angola matchup. The inclusion of Messi and De Paul comes despite the potential for both players to be engaged in a playoff push with Inter Miami. If Inter Miami secures a victory against Nashville SC this weekend, they will move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals, adding an element of uncertainty to the availability of these key players.
Messi, who participated in only one of the October friendlies alongside De Paul, is looking to maintain his form as he transitions from club competitions to the national team setup. The Argentina squad also features two newcomers: Joaquín Panichelli, the leading scorer in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg, and Gianluca Prestianni, a standout winger from Benfica who recently impressed at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
As Argentina prepares for the friendly in Luanda, Angola, fans are excited to see how this blend of experienced talent and promising newcomers will perform on the international stage. This match marks an important opportunity for the squad to strengthen their cohesion ahead of future competitions.