INTER MIAMI / ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul have been named in Argentina’s 24-player roster for a friendly against Angola scheduled for November 14, national team coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed.
The duo, key players for Inter Miami, are currently involved in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami and Nashville FC have each won one game in the best-of-three series, with the decisive Game 3 set for Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. If Miami advances, Eastern Conference semifinals would not start until November 22 or 23.
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Messi and De Paul previously represented Argentina in October friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, with Messi playing in one match and De Paul featuring in both. Argentina’s squad selection excluded players from domestic Primera Division teams, as the league did not pause during the November international window.
Argentina soccer federation president Claudio Tapia said the federation coordinated with Scaloni to ensure players involved in critical domestic matches were not called up. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez was also not included in the squad for the friendly.
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Messi, who is in contention for the MLS MVP and Golden Boot, has scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists this season. He was recently named to the MLS Best XI and is on track to become the first back-to-back MVP in league history.