Argentina's World Cup Squad: Barco and Mastantuono Likely to Be Left Out
Argentina World Cup Squad: Mastantuono and Barco Set to Miss Out
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Argentina's manager Lionel Scaloni is finalizing the squad for the 2026 World Cup, with high-profile absentees including Chelsea's Valentin Barco and Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono. Concerns also arise regarding Lionel Messi's fitness ahead of the tournament.
- 01Valentin Barco, a young defender recently signed by Chelsea, is expected to miss the World Cup squad.
- 02Franco Mastantuono, an 18-year-old Real Madrid prospect, is also likely to be excluded from the final roster.
- 03Lionel Messi's fitness is under scrutiny after he experienced muscle fatigue in a recent match.
- 04Argentina is the last major nation to submit its 26-man squad, with the final list due by the end of the week.
- 05Scaloni expressed the need for careful consideration in finalizing the squad, indicating ongoing discussions.
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As Argentina prepares for the 2026 World Cup, manager Lionel Scaloni faces significant decisions regarding his squad. High-profile players such as Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister are expected to be included. However, two notable absentees have emerged: Chelsea's Valentin Barco and Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono. Barco, who recently transferred from Brighton to Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg, is reportedly not in contention for a spot. Mastantuono, an exciting 18-year-old talent, has also been linked with exclusion, primarily due to concerns about his playing style overlapping with Messi's. Additionally, Messi's fitness has raised alarms after he suffered muscle fatigue during a match with Inter Miami. Scaloni has emphasized the importance of thorough evaluation before finalizing the squad, which is due by the week's end.
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The exclusion of key players like Barco and Mastantuono could affect Argentina's overall team dynamics and performance in the World Cup.
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