Lionel Messi Selected in Argentina’s 35 Man Squad for Upcoming Friendlies in March

• Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi has been selected in Argentina's 35-man squad for their upcoming international friendlies
• The World Cup champions will be in action for the first time against Panama on March 23 and Curacao five days later
• Messi scored seven goals and provided three assists in seven games to help Argentina win the World Cup

Lionel Messi is back on the Argentina national team.

The 35-year-old forward has been widely speculated to retire from international football after winning the World Cup with Argentina in December 2022.

Messi played a crucial role to help La Albiceleste emerge as World champions for the third time, scoring seven goals at the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.

15 times Lionel Messi surprised the football world, is he the GOAT?

Football

According to Sportskeeda, Argentina national team boss Lionel Scaloni has now included the Paris Saint-Germain forward in his 35-man roster for their upcoming friendlies.

Scaloni has previously revealed he would want Messi to be part of the Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup when they defend their trophy in three years’ time.

Argentina will return to the pitch for the first time after winning the World Cup when they face Panama and Curacao in two upcoming friendlies on March 23rd and 28th respectively.

Pele wanted Messi to win 2022 World Cup

Meanwhile, the daughter of Brazil legend Pele has revealed that her father wanted Lionel Messi to win the 2022 World Cup after the Selecao bowed out, Goal reports.

Kely Nascimento revealed in an Instagram post that her late father had rooted for Argentina and especially Messi to emerge as World Champions while on his death bed.

Uruguay's World Cup squad 2022: Which players represented Uruguay in this World Cup?

Football

Nascimento also revealed that she bumped into Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, during a party and passed on the best wishes of her father to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Messi Gifts Gold iPhone 14s to Argentina squad

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Lionel Messi will gift an impressive 35 gold-plated iPhone 14s to all the Argentina players and staff who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The genius number 10 spearheaded his country's third world title, notching seven goals, including a brace in that unforgettable final against France.

He also scooped the Golden Ball prize at the quadrennial tournament, becoming the only player in the history of the competition to be the Most Valuable Player twice.