The changing of guard in the Argentina national team began after the FIFA World Cup in the summer, and the navigation of the new reality in the national team presents an emotional and tactical headache for Lionel Scaloni.
The Argentine tactician has named his first official squad of the 'new era' after Lionel Messi's retirement and final involvement with the squad in last month's international window.
La Albiceleste are set to face Uruguay and Costa Rica in a pair of friendly games this month, and several changes have been made to the squad already, with new faces expected.
Scaloni has assembled the beginnings of 'La Scaloneta 2.0', as they begin their journey to try to conquer the world again in 2030.
A New Dawn: Scaloni Embraces Youth in the First Post-Messi Squad
Following Messi’s emotional international retirement, the responsibility of reshaping Argentina's tactical identity falls firmly on Scaloni.
The coach has taken steps to refresh the national team squad, judging by the names in the squad for this month's games.
He has created room for Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino, who has yet to play a single minute of club football this season due to injury, and 23-year-old Parma star Mariano Troilo, in the 28-man squad.
The likes of Valentin Barco, Agustin Giay, Santiago Beltran, Nico Paz, and Roman Vega are set to feature, as is red-hot Benfica star Gianluca Prestianni.
Franco Mastantuono, Maximo Perrone, and Santiago Castro have also been called up to the squad for this month.
With core veterans either sidelined or omitted following Messi’s recent farewell match, Scaloni is actively laying the groundwork for the 2030 World Cup cycle, integrating players capable of sustaining the high-intensity style that defined their recent global successes.
Navigating injuries and suspensions: Key absences in November
The squad announcement also highlights several enforced absentees as Argentina prepares to face Uruguay on November 13 and Costa Rica four days later.
Defensive anchor Cristian Romero misses out due to injury, alongside striker Lautaro Martínez, while Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul appears to have been left out intentionally this month.
Meanwhile, veterans Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina remain unavailable due to ongoing suspensions stemming from post-match altercations at the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
Elsewhere, there is a return to the squad for right-back Gonzalo Montiel, who will compete with Palmeiras man Giay for a starting berth in his position.
In goal, Chelsea's Emiliano Martínez has been included despite recovering from a jaw injury, with Scaloni naming Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, and River Plate youngster Beltran as backup cover to ensure complete depth across the squad.
Here is the squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Chelsea), Geronimo Rulli (Manchester City), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Santiago Beltran (River Plate)
Defenders: Agustin Giay (Palmeiras), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Aaron Anselmino (Chelsea), Mariano Troilo (Parma), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Facundo Medina (Bayer Leverkusen), Leonardo Balerdi (Roma), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Roman Vega (Zenit)
Midfielders: Equi Fernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Manchester City), Valentin Barco (Chelsea), Maximo Perrone (Como), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Exequiel Palacios (Ipswich Town), Nico Paz (Como)
Attackers: Matias Soule (Roma), Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Thiago Almada (River Plate), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Santiago Castro (Roma), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid).
