First Argentina World Cup squad leak emerges with unexpected name to be left out by Lionel Scaloni
The first news regarding Argentina's World Cup squad has emerged as fans wait for the holders to confirm their travelling party.
Argentina were crowned world champions for the third time in their history last time out as Lionel Messi finally completed football by captaining La Albiceleste to glory after a penalty shoot-out decided a pulsating final against France in Lusail, Qatar.
They remain one of the favourites for the first ever 48-team tournament in North America, with Messi expected to feature in his sixth and final World Cup despite a recent injury scare.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni is taking time deliberating his final 26-man squad, with the South American nation the last major country to confirm who will be representing them at the showpiece.
Advert
However there has been a leak regarding one player's status, with Chelsea new boy Valentin Barco expected to be left out according to German Garcia Grova of TyC Sports.
Barco, who is joining Chelsea from partner club Strasbourg this summer, has been capped twice by Argentina but his camp are under the impression that he will not be going to the World Cup.
The 21-year-old had a short spell playing for Brighton and Hove Albion, can play as a left-back or a holding midfielder.
Yet many fans were unhappy about the news of his rumoured exclusion, with one branding it a "joke" and another calling it "real disrespect".
A number of the major nations have already published their respective squads, including England, France, Germany, Brazil and Portugal.
Scaloni is taking his time, however, as he intends on not rushing into any decisions.
"We're taking all the time given to assess the players' condition and finalise the 26-man squad," Scaloni told Radio La Red.
"After that, we won't risk any players in the friendlies; we'll use a mix of players."
He has until June 1 to announce his squad, a day before FIFA's official announcement for all 48 teams participating.
An unlikely inclusion in the squad is Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni after he was slapped with a worldwide ban for a comment made to Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr in a Champions League clash.
Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt when making a remark that Vinicius claimed was racist. Prestianni denied the allegation but admitted to using a homophobic slir.
After UEFA submitted a request to FIFA, it was decided that his six-game ban, three of which were deferred on probation, would apply beyond European competition.
It means if selected, he would miss Argentina's first two World Cup games.
Argentina have friendlies against Honduras and Iceland coming up before they kick off their Group J campaign against Algeria on 16 June.
They then play Austria six days later, before wrapping up the group stage on 27 June against World Cup debutants Jordan.
Topics: Argentina, Football World Cup
Josh Lawless