General

Argentina releases final 23-man squad for 2018 World Cup [See List]

Published

3 years ago

July 3, 2022

Share this post:

Argentina coach, Jorge Sampaoli, has included Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala to feature in attack, alongside Lionel Messi in his 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup squad.

Sampaoli, however, left out Inter Milan captain, Mauro Icardi and Racing Club starlet, Lautaro Martinez.

City’s top scorer this season with 30 goals in all competitions, while Dybala scored 22 goals and set up five more to help Juventus win the Serie A title this season.

But it was compatriot Icardi, who finished as joint-top scorer with 29 goals, who has been dropped.

“Unfortunately we could only choose four in attack and many important players like [Diego] Perotti, Icardi, Lautaro Martinez were left out,” Sampaoli said.

“I’m grateful to all the players that have contributed to Argentina being at the World Cup. I always had clear that these players are on the list that are closest to the idea that we want.”

Argentina, who have not won the World Cup since 1986, will face Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D.

FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Wilfredo Caballero (Chelsea), Franco Armani (River Plate)

Defenders: Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Cristian Ansaldi (Torino), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Federico Fazio (Roma), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax), Marcos Acuna (Sporting CP).

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Hebei China Fortune), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Lucas Biglia (Milan), Giovani Lo Celso (Paris Saint-Germain), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Maximiliano Meza (Independiente), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors),

Forwards: Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus).