Messi in, Higuain out as Argentina announce World Cup qualifying squad
Lionel Messi's return to Argentina duty has been confirmed by his inclusion in Edgardo Bauza's first international squad, while there is no place for Gonzalo Higuain up front.
The Barcelona star confirmed on Friday that he would reverse his decision to retire from international duty.
And after talking with the captain in the Catalan capital, Bauza has included him in a list of 27 players to take on Uruguay and Venezuela in the next World Cup qualifiers.
Higuain, however, has been cut from the list, with River Plate's Lucas Alario and Lucas Pratto of Atletico Mineiro winning call-ups over the Juventus man.
San Lorenzo's Emanuel Mas, a veteran of Bauza's Copa Libertadores winning Ciclon team of 2013, also rejoins the squad after missing out on the Copa America, as does Angel Correa.
And while Higuain misses out, new Juve team-mate Paulo Dybala will join the squad, having also played no part in the United States campaign and failing to gain permission to feature in the Olympic Games.
Argentina take on Uruguay in Mendoza on September 6, before travelling to Merida five days later where Venezuela await.
Argentina squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Mariano Andujar (Estudiantes), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres).
Defenders: Facundo Roncaglia (Celta), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Emmanuel Mas (San Lorenzo), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Martin Demichelis (Espanyol), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter (Sevilla), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Augusto Fernandez (Atlético Madrid), Ever Banega (Inter), Javier Pastore (PSG), Erik Lamela (Tottenham), Nicolas Gaitan (Atletico Madrid), Angel Di María (PSG).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Lucas Pratto (Atletico Mineiro), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Lucas Alario (River).