Messi Leads Argentina’s Defence of Copa America Title

• Lionel Messi will lead Argentina’s defence of their Copa America title in the United States this month
• Manager Lionel Scaloni is banking on a squad enriched by experienced veterans like Messi and Angel Di Maria, alongside promising young talent

Lionel Messi will lead Argentina’s charge as they defend their Copa America title in the United States this month.

Manager Lionel Scaloni announced on Saturday that he is banking on a squad enriched by the experience of veterans like Messi, now based in Miami, and Angel Di Maria of Benfica, alongside promising young talent.

The reigning World Cup champions will kick off their Copa America campaign against Canada on June 20 in Atlanta. They will meet Chile on June 25, followed by Peru five days later.

Scaloni’s 26-player squad includes rising stars such as Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni from Monza, Italy, alongside seasoned players in their thirties.

The squad does not include World Cup champions Paulo Dybala, the 30-year-old captain of Roma, Atletico Madrid’s 29-year-old defender Angel Correa, and Marseille’s Lucas Balerdi.

Argentina Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG), Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax/NED)

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon/FRA), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla/ESP), Cristian Romero (Tottenham/ENG), German Pezzella (Real Betis/ESP), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica/POR), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina/ITA), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United/ENG)

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis/ESP), Leandro Paredes (Roma/ITA), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool/ENG), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea/ENG), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham/ENG)

Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Benfica/POR), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami/USA), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City/ENG), Valentin Carboni (Monza/ITA), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina/ITA), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United/ENG).

Argentina aims to continue winning momentum with a blend of experience and youth as it enters the Copa America battle.