Lionel Messi returns to Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela, Bolivia

Messi was left out of Argentina’s squad for its World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Colombia in August due to the injury which he sustained during the Copa America final.

FILE - Argentina’s Lionel Messi during a Copa America semifinal match against Canada in East Rutherford, N.J., July 9, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP

Argentina has been boosted by the return of captain Lionel Messi for its CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia, the country’s football association said on Wednesday after the 37-year-old recovered from an ankle injury.

Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, was left out of Argentina’s squad for its World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Colombia in August due to the injury which he sustained during the Copa America final.

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 to win a record 16th Copa America title.

ARGENTINA SQUAD

Goalkeepers - Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez, Juan Musso.

Defenders - Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico.

Midfielders - Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Guido Rodriguez, Nico Paz.

Forwards - Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho, Julian Alvarez, Valentin Carboni, Valentin Carboni, Paulo Dybala and Lionel Messi.