The in-form Manchester City talisman has not played for his country since they were knocked out of the World Cup in June. However, the Argentina coach is set to pick five forwards for the Copa America – and Lionel Messi, Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Martinez and Lautaro Martinez are the names in the frame. His form for City was expected to earn him an international recall for the friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco. Argentina were already missing Inter Milan striker Icardi, who was left out after a recent contract dispute with his club. So it was a shock when Scaloni opted to go with Gonzalo Martinez, the 25-year-old who plays as an attacking midfielder in the MLS for Atlanta United, and Icardi’s San Siro team-mate Lautaro Martinez.

Source: Daily Mirror March 31, 2019 00:45 UTC