Messi returns as Argentina announce squad for WC Qualifiers

Lionel Messi has returned to the Argentina squad as coach Lionel Scaloni announced the preliminary list for the upcoming South American World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.

Already assured of their place in the 2026 World Cup, Argentina will travel to Santiago (play against Chile on June 06) and then host Colombia (June 11) at the Monumental Stadium. 

Messi, who missed the high-profile clashes against Uruguay and Brazil due to a left adductor injury, is now fully recovered and back in top form with Inter Miami.

Alongside the return of the captain, Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho and Racing Strasbourg's Valentín Barco have also been recalled. Both youngsters were initially seen as future stars by Scaloni but are still working to cement their place in the senior setup.

Garnacho, despite recent tensions with Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim, has been a key figure in the club's attack. Barco, meanwhile, has revived his career in France and become an important presence on the left flank.

Other notable call-ups include Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolás Domínguez (Nottingham Forest), and Valentín Castellanos (Lazio), all of whom have impressed at club level.

However, the list also sees the omission of several experienced names. Germán Pezzella, Marcos Acuna, and Gonzalo Montiel have not been included, with only Montiel sidelined due to a muscle injury. The rest have been left out for tactical or form-related reasons.

Surprisingly, Bologna duo Santiago Castro and Benjamín Domínguez, who recently lifted the Italian Cup, were not named. Their exclusion, despite recent success, raises eyebrows.

Paulo Dybala remains absent as well. The Roma forward, who underwent surgery in March for a thigh injury, has not returned to action and continues his recovery.

Scaloni is expected to finalise his squad closer to the matches, with only fully fit players to be included in the final selection.