Surprise in Argentina’s Year-End Tour Squad: Three New Faces Join Messi and Company
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, reigning world champions Argentina are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. Under head coach Lionel Scaloni, the Albiceleste are fine-tuning their line-up during the international break through a mix of experienced stars and emerging talents. Maintaining that philosophy, Scaloni has named a 24-man squad for the friendly tour of Angola later this month, featuring several fresh inclusions.
Argentina will hold a short training camp in Spain before flying to Luanda to face Angola on 14 November. In a move that has drawn considerable attention, Scaloni has handed maiden call-ups to Joaquín Panichelli, Gianluca Prestianni, and Máximo Perrone. Returning to the side is young defender Valentín Barco, while first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has been rested to manage workload ahead of a packed international calendar.
The squad announcement followed a significant declaration by Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Tapia stated that, in agreement with Scaloni, no players from Argentina’s domestic league would be selected for this tour, ensuring clubs do not face disruptions. This policy has prompted Scaloni to experiment with new European-based prospects.
The New Faces in Argentina’s Squad
| Player | Age | Position | Current Club | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquín Panichelli | 23 | Forward | Racing Strasbourg (France) | 9 goals in 11 Ligue 1 matches; scored on UEFA Europa Conference League debut |
| Gianluca Prestianni | 19 | Winger | Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) | Star performer in Argentina’s U20 World Cup campaign |
| Máximo Perrone | 22 | Midfielder | Como (Italy) | Left-footed playmaker, product of Velez youth academy |
Panichelli, a 6-foot-2 striker from Córdoba and a product of River Plate’s academy, is currently enjoying the best form of his career in France. Since joining Strasbourg from Alavés last July, he has become one of Ligue 1’s top scorers.
Prestianni, aged just 19, impressed in the FIFA U-20 World Cup earlier this year despite Argentina’s defeat to Morocco in the final. Perrone, a left-footed central midfielder aged 22, has been making waves in Italy’s Serie B with Como, showcasing his composure and creativity in midfield.
The upcoming friendly also carries historical significance for Angola, marking the 50th anniversary of the nation’s independence. To commemorate the occasion, the Angolan government is reportedly paying the AFA nearly €12 million (around £10.2 million, or approximately BDT 170 crore) for Argentina’s participation.
Argentina’s 24-Man Squad for the Angola Tour
Goalkeepers: Gerónimo Rulli, Walter Benítez
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Senesi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Valentín Barco
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Máximo Perrone, Nico Paz
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González, Giuliano Simeone, José Manuel López, Gianluca Prestianni, Joaquín Panichelli
With this year-end tour, Scaloni aims to strike a balance between experience and youth — a clear indication that Argentina’s 2026 World Cup project is already well underway.
