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Pablo Maffeo speaks on being called up to the Argentina national team

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Pablo Maffeo spoke about being called up to the Argentina national team.

Maffeo is born in Spain to an Argentine mother and has been called up to the Argentina national team for the November World Cup qualifying matches. Lionel Scaloni has included the 26 year old left back for the two games. Speaking with his club Mallorca, here is what Maffeo had to say:

“Today, it’s the best national team in the world, it’s pure excitement.

“I got to the car and it was all happiness. The first thing I did was call my mother, obviously. She didn’t believe it at first. She thought I was playing one of my jokes on her.

In regards to when Scaloni called him:

“He asked me and obviously I told him yes, that I would be proud of it. And for my family.”

About sharing a locker room with Lionel Messi:

“I think it’s unimaginable. To be able to share trainings, a locker room, a training camp with the best football player in history is great.

Regarding the two matches being at the Bombonera and the Maracaná:

“They are two top stadiums in the world. Emblems. And to be able to go there, obviously it gives you goosebumps, surely.”

Argentina U17 lose 2-1 vs. Senegal U17 at World Cup

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The Argentina U17 team lost 2-1 vs. Senegal in their first match at the U17 World Cup.

Diego Placente’s team did not have the best of starts in Indonesia. Argentina goalkeeper Froilán Gabriel Díaz made an early save, 25 seconds into the match but would let in an early goal.

An effort by Amara Diouf from the edge of the penalty area gave Senegal the 1-0 lead. Argentina would not create much and would give the ball away for Senegal’s second goal of the match.

It was a giveaway by Argentina and the ball would fall to Amara. He would try to play a pass but it would get blocked by Argentina and he would get the rebound and score.

Argentina would get their goal off a free kick. The referee gave eight minutes of added time and Argentina were awarded a penalty kick with Agustin Fabian Ruberto taking it and scoring.

This was the starting eleven for Argentina:

F. G. Diaz; Ontivero, Cardozo, J. V. Gimenez, U. A. Gimenez; Gerez, Alvarracin; Acuna, Echeverri, Lopez; Ruberto

Japan got the 1-0 win vs. Poland in the other match in the group which now sees Argentina in third place. Argentina play Japan on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi presents his Ballon d’Or to Inter Miami in Noche D’Or

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Lionel Messi presented his Ballon d’Or to Inter Miami fans in their Noche d’Or and Mundo Albiceleste was in attendance.

Messi walked out and presented his eighth Ballon d’Or award at DRV PNK stadium in front of the Inter Miami fans prior to their match against New York FC. The fans gave him a standing ovation and the Best player in the world even gave a speech.

The World Cup winner thanked the fans for their support and how they will go to win more trophies. While the match ended in a 2-1 win for New York FC, it was all about Messi.

Argentina national team announced for November World Cup qualifiers vs. Uruguay, Brazil

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Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has announced his team for the two World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil.

The World champions will be playing their first of two World Cup qualifying matches on November 16 against Uruguay with the second match on November 21 against Brazil.

Lionel Scaloni has called up 28 players for the World Cup qualifiers with Paulo Dybala and Giovani Lo Celso returning to the team. Pablo Maffeo, who is born in Barcelona to an Argentine mother, is called up to the Argentina national team for the first time as is Francisco Ortgega of Olympiacos.

Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United and Thiago Almada of Atlanta United are not part of the team. Almada is with the Argentina U23 team for their friendly matches against Japan. Here are the players that Scaloni has picked for the two matches in November:

Goalkeepers:
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Franco Armani (River Plate)
Juan Musso (Atalanta)
Walter Benitez (PSV)

Defenders:
Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest)
Pablo Maffeo (RCD Mallorca)
Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
Germán Pezzella (Real Betis)
Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
Lucas Martínez Quarta (Fiorentina)
Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
Marcos Acuña (Sevilla)
Francisco Ortega (Olympiacos)
Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon)

Midfielders:
Leandro Paredes (AS Roma)
Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis)
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)
Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur)
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)

Forwards:
Paulo Dybala (AS Roma)
Ángel Di María (Benfica)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Julián Álvarez (Manchester City)
Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
Nicolás González (Fiorentina)
Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla)

Francisco Ortega of Olympiacos to be called up to the Argentina national team

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Francisco Ortega of Olympiacos will be called up to the Argentina national team.

Ortega is set to be called up to the Argentina national team for the first time. According to Gastón Edul, the 24 year old left back will be included in the latest Argentina team by coach Lionel Scaloni.

The Argentine joined Olympiacos from Velez earlier this year. He was previously part of the 2019 U20 World Cup team and the last Olympic team.