Argentina will defend its continental title in the new edition of the Copa América with the magic of star Lionel Messi as leader in partnership with the experienced Ángel Di María, but also with the impetus of young people with a renewed thirst for victories.
The three-time world champion will kick off on June 20th, against Canada in Group A at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, in Atlanta, hoping to revalidate the title won in Brazil in 2021.
This Saturday, coach Lionel Scaloni released the squad list, which includes young Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United, England) and Valentín Carboni (Monza, Italy), the latter with a great performance in the preparatory friendly against Guatemala, won by Argentina by 4-1 on Friday.
“He’s a young boy, with projection, and he played a good game, which was difficult due to the context. We’re happy. He can contribute a lot to us,” said Scaloni about Carboni, a player who made his debut for Argentina’s senior team at 19. .
Captain Messi also praised him after the victory over Guatemala, where he had an outstanding performance.
“It seems to me that he is a player who has a great future, different and with quality. We have to take advantage of this, like many boys who come with a lot of strength”, said ‘La Pulga’ to the TyC Sport channel.
Carboni, who came up through Lanús’ youth ranks, immediately moved to Italian football, where he played for Catania and Inter, before joining Monza, where he caught the eye of Scaloni.
As with Garnacho, he is part of the group of young Argentines with a promising presence in European football, which Scaloni turns to to create a mix between experience and youth. Something that has given good results.
“Scaloni asked me to enjoy myself and have fun,” said Carboni about the spirit the coach wants to instill in him.
Absences
For this Copa América, the coach chose to count on part of the squad that won the Qatar 2022 World Cup, although with some absences such as Ángel Correa, from Atlético de Madrid, and Paulo Dybala among those called up.
Others who were left out are Valentín Barco (Brighton, England) and Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille, France).
In addition to Canada, the Argentine team shares Group A with Peru and Chile, who will face each other on June 21, at the AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas.
According to the calendar, Messi’s team will face Chile on June 25th, at the MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey, and on Saturday, the 29th, they will face Peru, at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami.
Check out the list of 26 players called up by the Argentine national team for the 2024 Copa América:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, England), Franco Armani (River Plate, Argentina) and Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax, Netherlands).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham, England), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid, Spain), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon, France), Marcos Acuña (Sevilla, Spain), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, England), Germán Pezzella (Real Betis, Spain) , Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica, Portugal), Lucas Martínez Quarta (Fiorentina, Italy), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United, England).
Midfielders: Guido Rodríguez (Betis, Spain), Leandro Paredes (Rome, Italy), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, England), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético de Madrid, Spain), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, England), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Giovani Lo Celso (Totthenham, England)
Attackers: Ángel Di María (Benfica, Portugal), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, United States), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, Italy), Julián Álvarez (Manchester City, England), Valentín Carboni (Monza, Italy), Nicolás González (Fiorentina , Italy) and Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United, England).
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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