Franco Mastantuono, Kevin Lomónaco and Juan Nardoni are set to be called up to the Argentina national team.
Five names are being rumored to be called up for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia next month. According to Nani Senra, it will be Gonzalo Montiel, Germán Pezzella, Franco Mastantuono, Kevin Lomónaco and Juan Nardoni who would be called up.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will announce the names later this week.
With Argentina already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coach Lionel Scaloni is preparing his squad for the upcoming South American qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, scheduled for June 5 and 10. However, this international window comes just days before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States on June 14, complicating player availability for several teams.
Traditionally, Scaloni has relied on a core group of domestic-based players from River Plate, including Franco Armani, Germán Pezzella, Gonzalo Montiel, and Marcos Acuña. But for this double matchday, changes are expected — and two new names from Argentina’s local league are making headlines.
One of them is Kevin Lomónaco, a 23-year-old center-back currently playing for Independiente. Tall and strong in the air, Lomónaco is on loan from Brazil’s Red Bull Bragantino and has impressed since his return to the Argentine league.
The other standout is Franco Mastantuono, River Plate’s 17-year-old attacking midfielder who has become one of the most exciting young talents in Argentine football.
It is yet to be confirmed if Scaloni decides to call them up, or if these players will have to wait a bit longer for their first opportunity with the senior national team.
Leandro Paredes scored a free kick for AS Roma in their 3-1 win against Milan.
Paredes got his first goal in the league since December, scoring a free kick in their win. With the score at 1-1, AS Roma were awarded a free kick and it was the Paredes who took it.
The Argentine would kick from distance and scoring to give Roma the 2-1 lead. The 30 year old is also in the Argentina national team for the two World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia this month.
Leandro Paredes free kick for AS Roma! pic.twitter.com/NeUc7VNSy3
— Mundo Albiceleste ⭐🌟⭐🇦🇷 (@MundoAlbicelest) May 18, 2025
Nicolás González scored for Juventus in their 2-0 win against Udinese.
González reached his third league goal of the season for Juventus in their win. The 27 year old started for Juventus and scored their first goal of the match.
With the score at 0-0, he would receive the ball inside the penalty area and his effort would beat the goalkeeper.
González is part of the Argentina national team for their World Cup qualifying matches in June against Chile and Colombia.
— @CenterOfGoals follow (@AiCiampi4225) May 18, 2025
Julián Álvarez scored twice, one of which was a free kick and had an assist with one goal from Ángel Correa, in Atletico Madrid’a 4-1 win against Real Betis.
Álvarez reached 15 league goals, 27 goals in all competition for Atletico Madrid in their win. With the acore at 0-0, Atletico Madrid were awarded a free kick.
Up stepped Álvarez and he would score to give Atletico Madrid the 1-0 lead. With Atletico Madrid leasing 2-1, Álvarez would score the third goal of the match.
Ángel Correa was substituted into the match and Álvarez would play a pass in to Correa. He would dribble around the goalkeeper and score.
Correa is expected to leave Atletico at the end of the season. Giuliano Simeone and Rodrigo De Paul also started the match for Atletico as did Gio Lo Celso for Real Betis while Nahuel Molina and Ángel Correa were brought on as substitutes.
