Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad for their upcoming international friendlies in Asia.
The 2022 World Cup winners meet Australia in Beijing on June 15 before facing Indonesia in Jakarta four days later.
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Messi, who scored in Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Strasbourg to help Paris Saint-Germain clinch the Ligue 1 title, is one of 27 players selected by coach Lionel Scaloni.
The Argentina captain goes to the Asia Tour after announcing a decision on his next club. Messi, 35, became a free agent this summer after failing to sign a contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain, the club he joined two years ago from Barcelona.
Manchester United player Alejandro Garnacho, who has not been given permission by his club to play in the Under-20 World Cup, is also in Argentina’s squad.
Garnacho, 18, is yet to make his international debut after missing friendlies in March due to injury.
Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez was also included, although the striker will first try to become the only footballer in history to win the World Cup and the third European Cup in the same season.
Alvarez, 23, scored 17 goals and assisted five more for the English Premier League champions in his first season in Europe.
Five players from Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad, including attacking duo Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala, did not feature.
Martinez is expected to start for Inter Milan in the Champions League final against City on June 10 and then undergo treatment for a foot problem that has been bothering him all season.
Roma striker Dybala has suffered an ankle injury since April and it is doubtful he will play Wednesday’s Europa League final against Sevilla.
Unrecruited PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez was named to the squad.
