Buenos Aires, Nov 7 (NationPress) Lionel Messi is set to spearhead Argentina's squad for a friendly match against Angola on November 14 in Luanda. Coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed a 24-man roster that includes three players who have yet to earn their first caps. The new faces are Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, Strasbourg forward Joaquin Panichelli, and Como midfielder Maximo Perrone, according to reports from Xinhua.

This upcoming match will be the sole friendly for the South American champions during the forthcoming FIFA international window. As anticipated, Messi will lead an attacking lineup that also includes Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.

The current World Cup and Copa America titleholders will miss goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is recuperating from a calf injury. This match presents a final opportunity for Scaloni to test his squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Recently, Messi achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the player with the highest number of assists in men's international football by assisting two goals in Argentina's 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico in an international friendly at Chase Stadium. His assist tally has reached 60, surpassing both Neymar and Landon Donovan, who each have 58. Messi is now only three assists away from reaching 400 in his professional career.

Additionally, last month, Messi claimed the 2025 MLS Golden Boot after scoring 29 goals, making him the league's top scorer in his second full season with Inter Miami. He also registered 19 assists, outperforming LAFC's Denis Bouanga and Nashville SC's Sam Surridge, both of whom netted 24 goals. This victory marks Miami's first-ever Golden Boot winner and the first Argentine to achieve this since Valentín 'Taty' Castellanos with New York City FC in 2021.

The Argentina squad includes:

Goalkeepers: Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez.

Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco.

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Maximo Perrone, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolas Paz.

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Giuliano Simeone, Gianluca Prestianni, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Jose Manuel Lopez, Julian Alvarez, Joaquin Panichelli.