BUENOS AIRES - Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi was among 33 players included in a provisional Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.
Uncapped pair Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City) and Santiago Castro (Bologna) were also named on a preliminary list for the matches later this month, the Argentine Football Association said on its official website.
But there was no place for defender Marcos Acuna, who was overlooked after a series of poor performances for River Plate in Argentina's top flight.
Argentina will meet Uruguay in Montevideo on March 21 and Brazil in Buenos Aires four days later.
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The reigning World Cup and Copa America champion currently leads the South American zone standings with 25 points from 12 games, five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.
