BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Uncapped defender Aaron Anselmino has been named in Argentina's squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, the Argentine Football Association said on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old Chelsea player is part of a new-look side following the retirement of 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi last month.
Also missing from the Albiceleste squad were fellow world champions Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martinez and Rodrigo De Paul.
The 28-man list includes Mariano Troilo, who earned his first Argentina call-up last year but has not yet made his international debut. Meanwhile, Roma striker Santiago Castro returns following his first appearance for the Albiceleste in a 7-0 friendly win over Burkina Faso in October.
Argentina will face Uruguay at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on November 13 and Costa Rica at the Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba four days later.
Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Santiago Beltran.
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Agustin Giay, Aaron Anselmino, Mariano Troilo, Leonardo Balerdi, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina, Nicolas Tagliafico, Roman Vega.
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernandez, Maximo Perrone, Exequiel Palacios, Valentin Barco, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Paz, Matias Soule, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone, Gianluca Prestianni, Thiago Almada.
Forwards: Flaco Lopez, Santiago Castro, Julian Alvarez. ■
