Argentina have left Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala out of their squad to face Italy and Spain, but Gonzalo Higuain is back.
Icardi appeared to have displaced Higuain as Argentina’s No 9, judging by the start of Jorge Sampaoli’s reign, but the recent good form of the Juventus forward has earned him a recall.
Argentina have left Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala out of their squad to face Italy and Spain, but Gonzalo Higuain is back.
Icardi appeared to have displaced Higuain as Argentina’s No 9, judging by the start of Jorge Sampaoli’s reign, but the recent good form of the Juventus forward has earned him a recall.
The Inter captain, meanwhile, has started 2018 with injury problems, although Fox Sports cites his barren performances for the Albiceleste and ‘tense’ relationship with Lionel Messi and co. as reasons for his omission.
Atalanta ace Alejandro Gomez is also overlooked, as is Paulo Dybala, although the Juve star has been struggling with a hamstring injury.
Argentine face Italy on March 23, ahead of taking on Spain in another warm-up friendly for the World Cup four days later.
Argentina squad: Romero, Guzman, Caballero; Rojo, Funes Mori, Fazio, Otamendi, Acuna, Salvio, Tagliafico, Mercado; Mascherano, Paredes, Lanzini, Lo Celso, Biglia, Banega, Di Maria; Higuain, Messi, Aguero, Perotti