Messi and Mascherano called up by Argentina for friendlies in Asia

New Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has on Thursday called up two different squads for a numer of friendlies taking place in September. One squad, of all home-based players, will play two friendlies against arch-rivals Brazil next month (that squad list can be found here). The other team, made up exclusively of Europe-based players and which includes FC Barcelona players Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano, will play two friendlies in Asia, first against Venezuela in Kolkata, India on Sept. 2 and Nigeria in Dhaka, Bangladesh four days later (Sept. 6).

Sabella took over the job as Argentina national team coach two weeks ago, replacing Sergio Batista, who resigned after a disappointing Copa America, in which Argentina was knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals to eventual winners Uruguay.

The complete 26 player squad for the Asia friendlies is as follows: Di María, Higuain (Real Madrid), Messi, Mascherano (Barcelona), Banega (Valencia), Salvio (Atlético Madrid), Demichelis (Málaga), Fernández (Nápoli), Álvarez (Internazionale), Burdisso (Roma), Andujar (Catania), Romero (Sampdoria), Garay (Benfica), Rinaudo (Sporting de Lisboa), Otamendi (Porto), Agüero, Zabaleta (Manchester City), Gutiérrez (Newcastle), Pastore (Paris Saint Germain), González (Olimpique de Marsella), López (Lyon), Ansaldi (Rubín Kazan), Pareja, Rojo (Spartak Moscú), Sosa (Metalist), Andrada (Lanús).

As for other call-ups, both Dani Alves and Adriano have been summoned by Brazil for next month’s friendly against Ghana in England at Craven Cottage. Ex-Barça star Ronaldinho has also been featured on Mano Menezes’ list.

Brazil Squad: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Jefferson (Botafogo), Fabio (Cruzeiro); Lucio (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Dede (Vasco), D Luiz (Chelsea), D Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Santos), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Adriano (Barcelona), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), L Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Ralf (Corinthians), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), PH Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo); Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Robinho (AC Milan), A Pato (AC Milan), Hulk (Porto), L Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos).