BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 18 -- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has called up seven uncapped players for friendlies against Chile and Mexico in the United States next month as he revamps his squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
There was no place on the 27-man list for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Paris Saint-Germain winger Angle Di Maria. Captain and talismanic forward Lionel Messi was also missing because of suspension.
The newcomers are Leonardo Balerdi (Borussia Dortmund), Nicolas Figal (Independiente), Nicolas Dominguez (Velez Sarsfield), Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla), Lucas Martinez Quarta (River Plate), Alexis Mac Allister (Boca Juniors) and Adolfo Gaich (San Lorenzo).
Central defender Marcos Rojo, who was absent from Argentina's 2019 Copa America squad, earned a recall despite his limited opportunities for Manchester United.
Argentina will face Chile in Los Angeles, California, on September 5 and Mexico in San Antonio, Texas, five days later.
The fixtures will be the Albiceleste's first outings since they defeated Chile 2-1 in the Copa America third-place playoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on July 6.
The South American Football Confederation's (CONMEBOL) 2022 World Cup qualifying tournament will begin next March.
Following is the Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Esteban Andrada (Boca), Franco Armani (River) and Agustin Marchesin (Porto).
Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), German Pezzella (Fiorentina), Leonardo Balerdi (Borussia Dortmund), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Lucas Martinez Quarta (River), Gonzalo Montiel (River), Nicolas Figal (Independent), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax).
Midfielders: Marcos Acuna (Sporting), Leandro Paredes (PSG), Guido Rodriguez (America), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Nicolas Dominguez (Velez), Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese), Matias Zaracho (Racing), Roberto Pereyra (Watford), Exequiel Palacios (River), Lucas Ocampos (Seville), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham) and Alexis Mac Allister (Boca).
Forwards: Joaquin Correa (Lazio), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Paulo Dybala (Juventus) and Adolfo Gaich (San Lorenzo).