Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has expanded his squad by calling up nine new players for October's post-World Cup friendlies. The move signals the beginning of a renewal process for the reigning world champions, blending domestic talent with overseas-based players as Lionel Messi prepares for his international farewell.

The announcement on September 19 adds six players from the Argentine league and three from foreign clubs to the initial 28-man list. The call-ups include 19-year-old Boca Juniors forward Leonel Flores, who has no youth international experience, and his River Plate counterpart Tobías Andrada, also 19, receiving his first senior summons.

The New Faces

River Plate contributes four players in total: goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán (21), midfielder Thiago Almada (25), a World Cup participant who recently returned to Argentine football, and veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, who is called up solely for the October 6 match against Benin. From Europe, Scaloni has selected Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ezequiel Fernández (24), Toluca right-back Santiago Simón (24), and Betis left-footed centre-back Valentín Gómez (23).

Scaloni outlined his thinking in his first interview since the 2026 World Cup final. "A time to be able to trust in these kids who are knocking on the door," the coach said. Regarding the future beyond his contract, which expires in December, he added: "Logically, we will try, whether we are here or not. That is not the important thing."

Schedule and Messi's Send-off

Argentina, who currently sit top of their World Cup qualifying group with a perfect nine points from three games, will face Bolivia on September 30 at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba. They then host Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6, both at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The latter match will be Messi's final appearance for the national team, closing a cycle where he is the current top scorer with 8 goals in 8 appearances this season.

The Argentine Football Association has released ticket details. For the Bolivia match, popular stand tickets cost $90,000, with children aged 3-10 paying $25,000. Tickets for the Gasparini and Ardiles stands are priced at $140,000 and $170,000 respectively. Online sales via Deportick begin on September 21 at 14:00.

For the Monumental fixtures against Burkina Faso and Benin, general admission is $90,000 and child tickets are $29,000. Prices rise for the high Sívori and Centenario stands ($180,000), mid-tier seats in those sectors ($320,000), low San Martín and Belgrano stands ($450,000), and mid-tier seats in the latter ($480,000). Sales for these two matches start on September 22 at 18:00. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.

The AFA confirmed that Leonel Flores and Tomás Palacios will train at the Ezeiza complex before being released for club duty. Flores will be available for Boca Juniors' Copa Argentina match against Racing on October 27, while Palacios will return for Estudiantes' Supercopa Internacional against Rosario Central on October 26.

With this squad, Scaloni initiates a transition for the team that won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América before finishing as runners-up in 2026. The side looks to restart a winning run after their last defeat to Spain (1-0) in July, aiming to maintain their leading position in the World Cup standings. The first test for this new blended generation comes against a Bolivia side Argentina thrashed 6-0 in their last meeting in October 2024.

The original report is at La Nacion AR Deportes