Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentina national team, has revealed the final roster of 25 players for the 2026 World Cup, led by captain Lionel Messi, who is preparing to participate in the tournament for the sixth time in his career. The list saw the exclusion of several prominent names, including Franco Mastantuono, Alejandro Garnacho, and Gianluca Prestiani, according to The Athletic.
Prestiani (20 years old), a player for Benfica in Portugal, and Mastantuono (18 years old), a player for Real Madrid, were part of the preliminary list of 55 players announced on May 11. However, they failed to secure a spot in the final roster of the defending champions.
Details of the Event
The exclusion of Prestiani came after several months of controversy, as he faced a six-match suspension from UEFA due to behavior deemed homophobic during a match between Benfica and Real Madrid in the Champions League last April. He was also accused by Brazilian player Vinicius Junior of making a racist remark, an allegation that the Argentine player denied.
Earlier this month, FIFA decided to extend the suspension globally, which would have prevented him from participating in Argentina's first two World Cup matches against Algeria and Austria, even if he had been called up. Group D also includes the Jordan national team.
As for Messi (38 years old), he will become one of the few players in the history of the game to participate in six World Cups. The captain of Inter Miami raised some concerns after leaving his last match in the American league due to injury before the tournament.
Context and Background
Initially, Inter Miami did not issue an official diagnosis, but interim coach Guillermo Ouis downplayed the severity of the injury, before the club later confirmed that the player is suffering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, without specifying a clear timeline for his full return.
Messi carries exceptional memories from the 2022 World Cup, where he scored seven goals and assisted three others, leading Argentina to win the world title for the third time in its history and the first in his personal career. He also became the first player to win the Golden Ball for Best Player in the World Cup twice.
Impact and Consequences
The final Argentina roster for the 2026 World Cup includes a group of distinguished players, featuring goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), and Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid). In defense, players like Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate) and Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid) are included.
In midfield, the roster features Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), and Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen). In attack, Messi is joined by Nico Paz (Como), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), and Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid).
Significance for the Arab Region
The World Cup is a global sporting event that attracts attention from all over the world, including Arab countries. Messi's participation in the tournament enhances Arab fans' interest in football and increases their enthusiasm for following the matches.
In conclusion, the exclusion of some prominent players poses a challenge for the Argentine national team, but Messi's presence in the roster reflects the team's strength and its ability to compete in the tournament.