Icardi, Martinez named in provisional Argentina World Cup squad

IANS  |  Buenos Aires 

and young Racing Club striker Martinez were among 35 players named in Argentina's provisional squad.

Icardi, who has played only four matches for his country since his debut in 2013, was on Monday rewarded for a superb 28-goal season in Italy's championship, reports news agency.

Martinez, 20, has netted 20 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions for Racing in 2017-18. The tally includes five in as many matches in the Copa Libertadores, South America's top club competition.

As expected, the Albiceleste squad includes FC Barcelona's five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, Hebei China and Manchester United center-back

was named despite suffering a recent

There was also a spot for Franco Armani, who joined the in January from Colombia's Atletico Nacional amid reports he could seek Colombian nationality.

will trim his squad to 23 by June 4.

The two-time winners will begin their campaign in against on June 16. They will also face and in the group stage.

squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Willy Caballero,

Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Federico Fazio, NicolAs Tagliafico, Marcos Rojo, Marcos Acuna, Ramiro Funes Mori, Cristian Ansaldi, Eduardo Salvio, German Pezzella.

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Manuel Lanzini, Gio Lo Celso, Ricardo Centurion, Guido Pizarro, Leandro Paredes, Maximiliano Meza, Enzo Perez, Pablo Perez,

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Icardi, Cristian Pavon, Martinez,

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, May 15 2018. 14:10 IST