Argentina National Team Prepares for Friendly Match
The Argentina national team, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, is gearing up for a friendly match against Angola scheduled for November 14. Scaloni has announced a roster comprising 24 players, prominently featuring famous stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul from Inter Miami.
Roster Decisions and Exclusions
Notably, no players from the Argentine Primera Division have been selected, following the announcement that the domestic league will continue its matches during the international break.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine football federation, clarified the decision, stating:
“We consulted with Scaloni to ensure that players from local clubs engaged in critical matches within the Clausura Tournament are not included in the squad.”
Key Player Absences
Among the absences is Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, who was omitted from the upcoming lineup. Despite potential conflicting commitments with their club as Inter Miami battles for playoff advancement in Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi and De Paul have been included in the squad.
If Inter Miami secures a victory against Nashville SC this Saturday, they will proceed to the Eastern Conference semifinals, scheduled for either November 22 or 23.
Previous Matches and Upcoming Fixture
Both Messi and De Paul were part of the previous October roster for La Albiceleste, during which they participated in two friendlies while MLS matches continued through the FIFA international window. While Messi played only once, De Paul was active in matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
The upcoming friendly is set to take place in Luanda, Angola, marking Argentina’s sole international fixture for November.
