Lionel Messi headlines Argentina squad for 2019 Copa America as Man City striker Sergio Aguero earns recall

Lionel Messi ended his international exile in March, while Sergio Aguero has not played for Argentina since the World Cup
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George Flood22 May 2019

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has earned a recall to the Argentina squad for this summer's Copa America tournament.

The 30-year-old has not played for his country since their disappointing last-16 exit from the World Cup in Russia after being frozen out by head coach Lionel Scaloni, who succeeded Jorge Sampaoli in the aftermath of the tournament.

However, on Tuesday evening, 89-cap Aguero was named in Argentina's 23-man squad to contest the Copa America in neighbouring Brazil next month.

"My opinion regarding Aguero has not changed," Scaloni said, according to ESPN.

"We wanted to give others an opportunity to try. But Kun's numbers speak for themselves. We are very happy that he is with us.

"The only thing we hope is that we can put the pieces together so that he can do with us what he does at his club."

The travelling party was headed by captain Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona talisman having ended his self-imposed, post-World Cup international exile during a friendly defeat by Venezuela in March.

Other Premier League players selected by Scaloni include Aguero's City team-mate and fellow domestic treble winner Nicolas Otamendi, Tottenham defender Juan Foyth and Watford forward Roberto Pereyra.

Paulo Dybala was included in the squad despite scoring only five goals during Juventus' latest Serie A title triumph, but there was no place for Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi.

Argentina, who have lost four of the last five Copa America finals, face Nicaragua in a pre-tournament friendly on June 7 before taking on Group B rivals Colombia, Paraguay and guest nation Qatar.

Argentina's 23-man Copa America squad

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada

Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez

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