Lionel Messi will lead Argentina squad in the upcoming Copa America 2024 as the team announced its provisional squad for the tournament, ahead of the friendlies.
The defending champions will face Ecuador and Guatemala on June 9 and 14, respectively.
The 29-member squad will be cut to 26 after the friendlies.
In the last edition of the tournament, Messi won his first international trophy with the Albiceleste after defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final.
The squad features three players from the champions of the Premier League, Seria A, an Bundesliga: Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez and Exequiel Palacios.
Messi, who led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, suffered from a hamstring until last month, but had hinted that he would look to continue ‘delivering’ for his country at the continental tournament.
Messi said in the documentary "Champions": “As long as I feel good and I can continue to deliver, I’m going to (continue playing with Argentina). All I’m thinking about today is getting to the Copa América and being able to play in it."
“Then time will tell whether I’ll be at the World Cup or not. I’m going to be at an age (39) that normally doesn’t allow me to play in the World Cup.”
Argentina are in Group A with Peru, Chile and Canada and will open the title defence campaign against Les Rouges at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia on June 20.
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