Scaloni picks Argentina squad: Echeverri in, Correa out

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·28 August 2025

Scaloni picks Argentina squad: Echeverri in, Correa out

Lionel Scaloni confirmed the list of players called up for the last double date of South American Qualifiers, in which Argentina will host Venezuela next Thursday, September 4 at 20.30 and will visit Ecuador on Tuesday 9 at 20. Regarding the shortlist published last week, Facundo Medina and Ángel Correa were left out, while Claudio Echeverri, Alan Varela and José Manuel López remain. Meet the 29 called up.

The coach from Pujato surprised with some names included in the preliminary list, such as the Skinny López, who is currently doing great at Palmeiras. In this 2025 he has scored 17 goals in 46 matches and beat Valentín Castellanos, forward of Lazio. Despite speculation that he could be left out, the coach confirmed him. "The truth is that I did not expect it, but I always believed that this call would happen. Deep down, I always believed it. I didn't know it would be this year, I didn't imagine it so soon, but well... As I always say, the only thing I ask God and what I try is to be prepared for the opportunities that come into my life", he commented after the victory against Sport Recife in the Brasileirao.

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Others who made the cut were Varela and Echeverri. The one who came up from Boca's youth team, currently doing well at Porto, takes the place of Enzo Fernández, who was sent off against Colombia and received a two-match suspension. The Little Devil, recently arrived at Bayer Leverkusen, is one of the many attacking midfielders that Scaloni included in this list and hopes to make his debut in the Major in this double date.

The downside of the cut is that two footballers were left out, both regulars in the national team's call-ups. One of them is Facundo Medina, who started in the last match against Colombia and his absence may be missed considering that Lisandro Martínez is still recovering from his cruciate ligament tear and there are no more left-footed centre-backs. On the left back Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña and the young Julio Soler beat him from the River's youth team.

Ángel Correa, on the other hand, left Atlético de Madrid after ten seasons and started his cycle in Mexican football on the right foot: he scored six goals in eight matches with the Tigres shirt. Despite his good present, Scaloni opted for other attacking options leaving out the world and America champion with the Albiceleste.

The rest of the absentees in the Argentina National Team list

Enzo Fernández – He received a two-match suspension after his expulsion against Colombia
Enzo Barrenechea – Despite the absence of the Chelsea man, Scaloni opted for Varela to replace him.
Paulo Dybala – Injuries prevent him from gaining the desired continuity. Despite being an important piece and now being well, the coach opted for younger options in that position.
Nicolás Domínguez – He is recovering from a meniscus injury that also sidelined him from the previous double date.
Valentín Barco – Despite being at a great level at Racing Strasbourg, the coach called up other left backs and for now does not think of him as a midfielder.
Valentín Castellanos – Lost the battle to José Manuel López
Santiago Castro – Same case as Castellanos, Scaloni opted for the Skinny before him.
Kevin Lomónaco – His level dropped compared to the last semester and Nicolás Otamendi also returned.
Mariano Troilo – His presence on the previous list was a surprise and he still has several players above him in consideration. It remains to be seen if his transfer to Parma helps him gain ground.
Matías Soulé – Football reasons. Today Scaloni believes there are players performing at a better level in his position.
Alejandro Garnacho – He was hung up at Manchester United and only this Wednesday his move to Chelsea was confirmed. If he gets minutes with the London team he could return to the call-ups.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.