BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Newcomers Jose Manuel Lopez and Alan Varela earned their first Argentina call-ups on Monday for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador.
Lopez, a 24-year-old striker for Palmeiras, has been in impressive form this year with 15 goals and four assists across all competitions for the Brazilian club. Varela, also 24, has been an integral part of Porto's midfield since his 2023 move from Boca Juniors.
Argentina will host Venezuela in Buenos Aires on September 4 before an away clash against Ecuador in Guayaquil five days later.
The reigning World Cup and Copa America champion leads South America's 10-team qualifying tournament and is already guaranteed a place in football's showpiece next year.
As expected, the Albiceleste squad is led by captain Lionel Messi, who fronts an attack that also includes Inter Miami's Lautaro Martinez and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez.
Manager Lionel Scaloni also named Real Madrid teenager Franco Mastantuono, who became the youngest player to feature competitively for Argentina against Chile in June at 17 years and 295 days.
Scaloni's side will be without Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who received a two-match ban for his sending off against Colombia in June.
Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez, Geronimo Rulli.
Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Julio Soler, Facundo Medina.
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, Valentin Carboni.
Forwards: Giuliano Simeone, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Jose Manuel Lopez. ■
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