Argentina name World Cup squad, exclude Mauro Icardi
What's the story
2014 World Cup finalists Argentina have named their 23 man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia. Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli has named Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Juventus Paulo Dybala alongside Lionel Messi to lead the Albiceleste's front line, but surprisingly Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi has been snubbed. Here's more!
Big miss
Mauro Icardi left out of Argentina squad
Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi has been in red-hot form and finished the season as top scorer in Serie A with 29 goals to his name. But this was not enough to convince coach Jorge Sampaoli, who opted to name Gonzalo Higuain, ahead of him. Argentina have named just two specialist centre-forwards in the 23 man squad Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.
4th time lucky?
Messi to captain Argentina
Lionel Messi has been named the captain of this exciting squad. IT boasts the likes of Manchester United's Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo, PSG's Angel Di Maria, Chelsea's Willy Caballero, City's Nicolas Otamendi and former Barcelona stalwart Javier Mascherano. Argentina are pitted against Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in the group phase.
23 man squad
Argentina's World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Willy Caballero, Franco Armani. Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Cristian Ansaldi, Nicolas Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Eduardo Salvio. Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Ever Banega, Giovani Lo Celso, Manuel Lanzini, Angel Di Maria, Maxi Meza. Forwards: Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Cristian Pavon.