Messi headlines Argentina's star-studded Copa America roster
As expected, Argentina is bringing a loaded roster to Copa America, and it's headlined by Lionel Messi.
Messi will come to the United States this summer, joined by the prolific likes of Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi, with all of them part of Argentina's 23-man roster that was revealed by manager Gerardo Martino on Friday. Carlos Tevez and Paulo Dybala are high-profile omissions who will not make the trip this summer.
Messi, who is six goals shy of Gabriel Batistuta's national record of 56, captains Argentina, which begins its tournament at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on June 6 against Chile in a rematch of the 2015 Copa America final. Argentina is aiming to end a 23-year major trophy drought, with Messi looking to lift a trophy on the international senior level for the first time.
Panama and Bolivia are Argentina's other opponents in the group stage.
Here is Argentina's roster in full:
GOALKEEPERS: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Mariano Andujar (Estudiantes), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres UANL)
DEFENDERS: Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Facundo Rocaglia (Fiorentina), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Jonathan Maidana (River Plate), Victor Cuesta (Independiente)
MIDFIELDERS: Angel Di Maria (PSG), Javier Mascherano (Barcleona), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Guido Pizarro (Tigres UANL), Javier Pastore (PSG), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Erik Lamela (Tottenham), Matias Kranevitter (Atletico Madrid)
FORWARDS: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)
