Scaloni tests Argentina XI ahead of Bolivia friendly in Córdoba | OneFootball

Lionel Scaloni has trialled an Argentina XI for Wednesday 30 September’s friendly against Bolivia in Córdoba, his first training line-up since the World Cup ended. The game is at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, kick-off 20:00.

According to SuperDepor.com, the side tested at the Lionel Messi complex in Ezeiza comprised Emiliano Martínez, Agustín Giay, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Franco Mastantuono, Nicolás Paz, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.

Five names from the 2026 final against Spain return, Martínez, Romero, Martínez, Mac Allister and Álvarez. Giay and Mastantuono were not called for that World Cup.

This is the first of three friendlies in this FIFA window. Argentina face Burkina Faso on Wednesday 3 October at the Monumental, then Benin at the same venue on the 6th, a match that will mark Lionel Messi’s farewell, with Messi and Nicolás Otamendi joining only for it.

Scaloni told reporters in Ezeiza he has not confirmed a contract renewal. He said the end of a World Cup cycle makes this a good moment for some renewal, likening the plan to 2018 even amid uncertainty over his own future. He added Rodrigo De Paul and Giovanni Lo Celso will be involved only against Benin, the door is not closed to anyone, and these two games are for younger players to show themselves.

Source: SuperDepor.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”