Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at the World Cup, national coach Lionel Scaloni said Thursday as he unveiled his 26-man squad.
Messi, 38, had not previously confirmed that he would play in the tournament, which would be a record-breaking sixth for the Argentine superstar.
But it was assumed that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would lead Argentina again, four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar.
As well as confirming Messi’s presence, Thursday’s announcement excluded Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono from Argentina’s squad.
Eighteen-year-old Mastantuono is considered one of the brightest stars in Argentine football.
The biggest ever World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will begin on June 11.
