BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel Lopez received Argentina’s first call-up on Monday for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador.
Leading by a 38-year-old captain Lionel Messithe team also includes young talents like Real Madrid’s recent signature Franco Mustantouno and Manchester City’s Claudio Echeveli.
“Flaco” Lopez caught the eye of coach Lionel Scaloni for his goalscoring output at Palmeiras and joined from Lanús in 2022. At 1.9 metres, the centre forward has scored 15 goals in 42 games this year.
World champion Argentina has already secured a spot For the 2026 World Cup He will lead the South American qualifiers.
Argentina will host Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4th, and will visit Ecuador in Guayaquil on September 9th to visit the final doubleheader of the competition.
The Argentinian will take place without Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was suspended for two games in June for a send-off against Colombia. Instead, Alain Barrera, the star of Porto, Portugal, was chosen.
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