World Cup 2022: Dybala in Argentina’s 31-man squad

THE Paulo Dybala is in Lionel Scaloni’s plans for Argentina’s 2022 World Cup squad after the Roma striker was included in the squad despite suffering an injury.

The 28-year-old footballer is set to return soon and is on the list of 31 players, six of whom will be ‘dropped’ to make up Albiceleste’s squad until Monday 14 November.

Moreover, Lionel Messi emerges as the top name in the pre-selection, which contains no surprises.

Young footballers like Thiago Almada, Enso Fernandez and Facundo Medina are likely to be left out at the last minute.

Julián Alvarez will get his first World Cup chance while Giovani Simeone, who started the season well with Napoli, is out.

Argentina’s failure

GOALKEEPER

• Emiliano Martins (Aston Villa), Jeronimo Rulli (Villarreal), Franco Armani (River Plate), Juan Musso (Atalanta)

DEFENDER

• Nauel Molina (Atletico), Gonzalo Montiel (Seville), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Marcos Acuña (Seville), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Juan Foyt (Villarreal), Facundo Medina (Lance)

AVERAGE

• Rodrigo de Paul (Seville), Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Giovani lo Celso (Villarreal), Alexis McAllister (Brighton), Guido Rodriguez (Betis), Alejandro Gomes (Seville), Enso Fernandez (Benfica), Ezequiel Palacios (Leverkusen)

AGGRESSIVE

• Lionel Messi (Paris), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Nico Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Joaquin Correa (Inter), Angel Correa (Atletico), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)