Argentina's starting eleven pose for a team photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, United States, on June 16, 2026. Photo by Walid Ibrahim / JNA Press
Argentina's starting eleven pose for a team photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, United States, on June 16, 2026. Photo by Walid Ibrahim / JNA Press
The Argentina national team is moving on without Lionel Messi after the 39-year-old said goodbye to international football on October 6 with a 3-0 friendly win over Benin in Buenos Aires.
Messi scored a penalty and set up the other two goals in his 208th and final appearance. He retired with 126 goals for his country.
He announced his decision on August 31. It came weeks after Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain after extra time in New Jersey.
Liverpool supporters know his work well. Messi faced the Reds four times for Barcelona, all in the Champions League.
Liverpool won their 2007 last-16 tie on away goals. They won 2-1 at the Camp Nou and lost 1-0 at Anfield, and Messi, then 19, played all 90 minutes in both games without scoring.
He scored both of his goals against Liverpool in the 2019 semi-final first leg, a 3-0 Barcelona win. The second was his 600th for the club.
The return leg went the other way. Liverpool won 4-0 at Anfield, Messi did not score, and the Reds reached the final.
Argentina have already played without him. They beat Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0 in the September and October window before Messi’s farewell.
On Tuesday, coach Lionel Scaloni named his first squad since that farewell. He called up 28 players for friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is in the group. He started the World Cup final against Spain.
Mac Allister played in both September and October wins without Messi.
Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Paz are also named. Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel and Thiago Almada are included too.
Aaron Anselmino and Mariano Troilo are among the new defensive options. Cristian Romero, who wore the captain’s armband against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, is not in the squad.
Lautaro Martínez is also absent with a thigh muscle injury.
Rodrigo De Paul, who was called up only for the Messi farewell, is again left out. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is listed, despite recovering from a jaw fracture.
Argentina play Uruguay on Friday, November 13, at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. They face Costa Rica on Tuesday, November 17, at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Cordoba.
#SelecciónMayor Lista de convocados para los próximos amistosos 🇦🇷
📝 https://t.co/SqoaIewEQR https://t.co/Kxysq82w1A
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) November 3, 2026
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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom on 03 May 2026 (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images)
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom on 03 May 2026 (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images)