Lionel Scaloni has named an Argentina squad for three early-October friendlies that leans heavily on Serie A, with seven players from Italy’s top flight included. The list also delivers two first-time call-ups and one glaring absence: Paulo Dybala.
Roma's Strong Serie A Start Earns Three Call-Ups
Roma’s perfect beginning to the 2026-27 Serie A season has not gone unnoticed. Scaloni has called up three players from the capital club: centre-back Leonardo Balerdi, centre-forward Santiago Castro and attacker Matias Soule. For Castro and Soule, these are maiden Argentina call-ups, a clear reward for their part in a side that has won all four of its league matches so far.
Dybala, meanwhile, is the notable name missing. The Roma forward has been in strong form domestically, yet he has not added to his Argentina caps since 2024. His omission is one of the more debated decisions in a squad that otherwise rewards current club output.
Lautaro Leads the Line After Fast Start
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez is included, and his early-season numbers explain why. He has scored twice in three Serie A appearances and is the reigning Capocannoniere. Inter sit joint-top of the table with a 100% win record, and Lautaro remains the reference point for Scaloni’s attack.
Nahuel Molina is the other high-profile absentee. Despite 65 caps for his country, the defender has been left out entirely. It is a reminder that Scaloni is willing to look past experience when form or fit dictates otherwise.
Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono: Youth on the Rise
Among the midfield and attacking inclusions, two young names stand out. Nico Paz, the Como midfielder who recently turned 22, already has 11 Argentina caps and is becoming a regular in Scaloni’s plans. There is even a suggestion that he could inherit Lionel Messi’s No. 10 shirt once Messi retires, a sign of how highly he is regarded.
Franco Mastantuono is rewarded for a spectacular Friday evening in Venice. The 19-year-old, on loan at Fiorentina from Real Madrid, scored a hat-trick as his side beat Venezia 4-2. That performance has earned him a place in the senior squad.
Nico Gonzalez Back in the Fold
Juventus forward Nico Gonzalez also returns. He scored the first Serie A goal of his season in Juventus’s 2-0 win over Parma on the opening outing of the campaign. Gonzalez is back at Juventus after a 2025-26 loan spell at Atletico Madrid, and his inclusion adds another attacking option for Scaloni.
Full Squad Breakdown
The squad covers all positions, with a blend of established names and newer faces.
Goalkeepers
- Emiliano Martinez (Chelsea)
- Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid)
- Geronimo Rulli (Manchester City)
Defenders
- Agustin Giay (Palmeiras)
- Cristian Romero (Atletico Madrid)
- Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
- Juan Foyth (Villarreal)
- Facundo Medina (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
- Roman Vega (Zenit St Petersburg)
- Leonardo Balerdi (Roma)
Midfielders
- Enzo Fernandez (Manchester City)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- Valentin Barco (Chelsea)
- Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)
- Exequiel Palacios (Ipswich Town)
- Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)
- Nico Paz (Como)
Attackers
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
- Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
- Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica)
- Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras)
- Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- Nico Gonzalez (Juventus)
- Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina, on loan from Real Madrid)
- Matias Soule (Roma)
- Santiago Castro (Roma)
What the Friendlies Mean
Argentina will play Bolivia on September 30, Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6. These matches give Scaloni a chance to look at new combinations and assess players who are thriving at club level. The inclusion of Soule and Castro, in particular, signals that he is open to fresh attacking options.
At the same time, the omissions of Dybala and Molina show that reputation alone does not guarantee a place. Dybala’s lack of international action since 2024 and Molina’s absence despite 65 caps underline the competitive nature of the squad.
With Inter and Roma both enjoying perfect starts in Serie A, the Italian-based contingent arrives in good rhythm. Whether that translates into minutes across the three friendlies remains to be seen, but Scaloni’s selection already tells a story of form over history.
