Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez will start for Argentina vs. Paraguay on Thursday.

The three players are set to start for Argentina in their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. According to Gastón Edul, Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will start Messi, Lautaro and Álvarez.

Argentina will play Paraguay on Thuesday in a World Cup qualifier.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Wednesday about the team against Paraguay, Facundo Medina’s call-up, Leandro Paredes situation at AS Roma, and the controversy surrounding a streamer playing in the Argentine league.

Regarding the Albiceleste’s line-up against Paraguay on Thursday, here is what Scaloni had to say:

“The team will be quite similar to the one in the last match. It will be a very tough game against an opponent that’s in a good moment.”

The coach was asked about Leandro Paredes’ lack of playing time with AS Roma and whether he had spoken with him about it.

“We’re focused on preparing for the game. We never get involved in players’ decisions with their clubs; we always evaluate their current form. Everyone knows it’s important to have regular playing time, no matter where they play.”

Scaloni also gave details about Facundo Medina’s call-up:

“Facundo booked his flight on his own because he was so eager to join us; that’s something we value, and it’s great for us. He did it all himself. He spoke with his coach, got his ticket, and arrived this morning. It sends a message to his teammates.”

Lionel Scaloni also addressed the controversy involving the streamer Spreen, who played one minute for Deportivo Riestra in the Argentine League last Monday as part of a marketing move by the club:

“We need to be as honest as possible. I imagine everyone thought the same as I did. I remember my own debut in the First Division as one of the best moments of my life.”

“The Ethics Committee will work on this; I imagine it will set an example, and hopefully, this won’t happen again. For the good of football, this can’t happen again. From my position, I hope that’s the case.”

Watch Paraguay vs. Argentina on Fanatiz here.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni had his team train on Tuesday and he could be thinking of going with a midfield of four players or a front three.

Lionel Scaloni started Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez against Bolivia, with all three players scoring. Against Paraguay on Thursday, he could be thinking of starting the same three in attack.

Another option for Scaloni is to play a midfield of four players. The midfield four would be Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and one of Leandro Paredes, Gio Lo Celso or Thiago Almada. These two would be the rumored eleven:

Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Paredes or Lo Celso or Almada; Messi, Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez

Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez

Cristian Romero and Nicolás Otamendi will both start for Argentina.

Romero and Otamendi are going to start for Argentina against Paraguay on Thursday. According to Gastón Edul, they will start in front of Emiliano Martínez.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has not decided on if he will play with four midfielders or with three forwards.

Lisandro Martínez will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches.

Martínez will miss the two matches against Paraguay and Peru. According to Gastón Edul, the 26 year old will miss the two games due to a knock he suffered while with Manchester United.

Nicolás González is also out for Argentina due to injury, as is Germán Pezzella for the two matches. Facundo Medina has been called up for the two World Cup qualifying games.

The Argentina national team will play Paraguay on Thursday and Peru on Tuesday. Here are the players that have been called-up:

Goalkeepers:

Emiliano Martínez – Aston Villa

Gerónimo Rulli – Olympique Marseille

Walter Benítez – PSV Eindhoven

Defenders:

Gonzalo Montiel – Sevilla

Nahuel Molina – Atlético Madrid

Cristian Romero – Tottenham Hotspur

Leonardo Balerdi – Olympique Marseille

Facundo Medina – Lens

Nicolás Otamendi – Benfica

Nehuén Pérez – Porto

Nicolás Tagliafico – Lyon

Midfielders:

Leandro Paredes – AS Roma

Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool

Rodrigo De Paul – Atlético Madrid

Exequiel Palacios – Bayer Leverkusen

Enzo Fernández – Chelsea

Giovani Lo Celso – Real Betis

Enzo Barrenechea – Valencia

Thiago Almada – Botafogo

Nicolás Paz – Como 1907

Facundo Buonanotte – Leicester City

Forwards:

Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United

Lionel Messi – Inter Miami

Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan

Julián Álvarez – Atlético Madrid

Valentín Castellanos – Lazio