Although Messi, 38 years old , had not previously confirmed whether he would take part in what would be a record sixth World Cup appearance, his inclusion in the squad came as no surprise.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will once again wear the captain's armband, four years after lifting the trophy at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Romero returns

As expected, Scaloni recalled central defender Cristian Romero, who has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury last month.

Argentina will begin its campaign in five days against Algeria in Kansas City before facing Austria on June 22 and Jordan six days later in Group J.

Goalkeepers

Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille) and Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid).

Defenders

Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur) and Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon).

Midfielders

Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis) and Valentin Barco (Strasbourg).

Forwards

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como), Thiago Almada, Nicolas Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) and Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras).