Messi named in Argentina’s squad for his 5th World Cup

ISTANBUL

Leon Messi has been named in Argentina's 26-man squad for his fifth World Cup as he bids to win the tournament for the first time.

Juventus' Angel Di Maria, Roma's Paulo Dybala and 36-year-old goalkeeper Franco Armani have been included in Lionel Scaloni's squad.

The 2022 World Cup, hosted by the Gulf nation of Qatar, is set to kick off on Nov. 20 and end on Dec. 18.

Hosts Qatar will open the 29-day event with a Group A match over Ecuador at 1600 GMT in Al Bayt Stadium.

La Albiceleste will play against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland in Group C.

Here’s Argentina's World Cup squad

Goalkeepers:

Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal), Franco Armani (River Plate)

Defenders:

Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Marcos Acuna (Sporting CP), Nicolas Tagliafico, (Lyon), Juan Foyth (Villarreal)

Midfielders:

Rodrigo De Paul, (Atletico Madrid), Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton & Hove Albion), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)

Attackers:

Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan), Paulo Dybala (AS Roma), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)