Prestianni e Otamendi in Argentina’s provisional World Cup pool, Benfica duo await final decision | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi and Gianluca Prestianni have been named in Argentina’s provisional World Cup pool, leaving the Benfica duo awaiting final news in the season’s run-in. Lionel Scaloni will reduce the group to 26 closer to the tournament.

Record writes that 55 players have been called at this stage, although only 26 can travel. Argentina will attempt to defend the crown won in Qatar in 2022.

If selected, Prestianni will be unavailable for Argentina’s first two matches after a UEFA ban was later extended by FIFA. Those fixtures are against Algeria and Austria.

The 55 also feature Porto title-winner Alan Varela and former Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández. Thiago Almada of Atlético Madrid and Palmeiras striker Flaco López are included too.

For Benfica this season, Otamendi, valued at 1 million euros, has made 48 appearances, 29 in the league, 14 in the Champions League, two in the Taça de Portugal, two in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. Across 4,224 minutes, he has scored three goals.

Source: Glorioso 1904