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Maxi MEZA talks the Argentina National Team and Lionel MESSI

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Maxi MEZA has landed in the United States with the rest of the Argentina National Team ahead of the two friendly matches.

Just like Nicolas TAGLIAFICO did when he landed, Maxi MEZA spoke to the media and was asked about captain Lionel MESSI’s absence as well as the Argentina team. Here’s what MEZA had to say about Lionel MESSI.

“He’s a very important player, beyond just being a footballer but as a person as well for what he transmits. Personally, I believe he’s taken a well deserved break. Let’s hope he returns.

“He loves Argentina a lot and is the first one who wants to win something important with the Argentina National Team. Let’s hope he comes back for the good of the National Team and for everyone.”

MEZA, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup squad, spoke about the future of the team.

“Now we have to adapt to what the new coach says, if he comes with changes or not. We have to work and get Argentina as high up as possible. It’s a shame what happened at the World Cup.

There are a lot of players that are important with their clubs and will be here with the National Team.”

Nicolas TAGLIAFICO on Argentina: “It’s weird to come and MESSI isn’t there”

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Nicolas TAGLIAFICO’s Argentina career will have a new chapter with the two friendly matches later this month against Guatemala and Colombia.

One of the players called-up to the Argentina team during the World Cup and someone who started all four of Argentina’s matches at the tournament, Nicolas TAGLIAFICO, is presently with the squad in the United States. Speaking with TyC Sports, the Ajax man had this to say about the Argentina National Team beginning with Lionel MESSI.

“It’s weird to come (to the Argentina National Team) and that MESSI isn’t there.”

Nicolas TAGLIAFICO spoke about the 2019 Copa America and the new cycle with the team.

“The most important competition we have is next year (the 2019 Copa America), so it’s important to know your new team mates.

“I’ll bring what I always bring… I was at the World Cup but I don’t have that many matches either (played with Argentina), so I’m just one more name and I have to continue to do what I have been doing.

“Even I have to take advantage of every opportunity because no one has won their spot (in the team).”

Argentina players and staff land in United States ahead of matches

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Players of the Argentina National Team as well as the staff have landed in the United States.

A new dawn is upon the Albiceleste with many new faces in the team being called-up. Two friendly matches in the United States against Guatemala and Colombia are what is next for interim coach Lionel SCALONI.

On Sunday night, AFA president Claudio TAPIA as well as the staff and the local based players made the trip to Los Angeles. Last minute call-up Renzo SARAVIA as well as Franco ARMANI who played two matches for Argentina made the trip. Here’s the full list of players presently in the United States:

Renzo SARAVIA (Racing Club)
Franco ARMANI (River Plate)
Alan FRANCO (Independiente)
Leonel DI PLACIDO (Atletico Tucuman)
Fabricio BUSTOS (Independiente)
Exequiel PALACIOS (River Plate)
Gonzalo “Pity” MARTINEZ (River Plate)
Matias VARGAS (Velez Sarsfield)
Maxi MEZA (Independiente)
Cristian PAVON (Boca Juniors)

One of the players who was at the World Cup with Argentina, Cristian PAVON, gave his thoughts on the upcoming matches.

“These matches are used for us to show off. I think I feel like I’m one of them now, although I went to the World Cup, we are all kids now. A new team is being put together. I haven’t spoken to SCALONI, now we’ll talk calmly.”

One of the newer players on the team, Matias VARGAS gave his opinion on being with the Argentina squad.

“You can’t count the amount of times I have spoken to my brother and father about being in the Argentina National Team. It fills your chest and gives you goosebumps. There’s a change in the team and I hope to take advantage of it in my own way.”

Inter duo Mauro ICARDI, Lautaro MARTINEZ a doubt for Argentina matches

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The Inter duo of Mauro ICARDI and Lautaro MARTINEZ are both a doubt for Argentina’s upcoming matches.

Both players are travelling and will join up with the Argentina team for their upcoming friendly matches against Guatemala and Colombia. The problem is that it remains to be seen if they will take part in those two games or not.

For the Inter captain, it appears as though he could miss the first match in Los Angeles against Guatemala but would have a better chance of making it in New York against Guatemala. ICARDI reportedly felt pain in the quadricept of his right leg.

In the case of former Racing Club striker Lautaro MARTINEZ, he had some pain in his left calf. However, MARTINEZ is rumored to be fit enough to play in one of the two matches. Mauro ICARDI and Lautaro MARTINEZ did not take part in Inter’s Serie A match against Bologna.

Eduardo SALVIO and Gabriel MERCADO both had to pull out of the Argentina team due to injuries.

Eduardo SALVIO, Gabriel MERCADO out of Argentina squad, Renzo SARAVIA called

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Eduardo SALVIO and Gabriel MERCADO are both officially out of the Argentina squad for this month’s matches with Renzo SARAVIA called as a replacement.

The two players which were supposed to occupy the right back position have had to widthdraw from the Argentina team due to injuries and have been replaced by Racing Club’s Renzo SARAVIA. Interim Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI will now be able to count on three full backs for the matches against Guatemala and Colombia. Those three being Fabricio BUSTOS, Leonel DI PLACIDO and now Renzo SARAVIA.

For Gabriel MERCADO, he has reportedly suffered a fracture in his right arm. In Eduardo SALVIO’s case, a blow in his ankle will keep him out of the two matches. Both players were part of Argentina’s squad during the World Cup with Gabriel MERCADO scoring in the match against France.

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