Despite scoring 30 goals last season, Inter Milan’s star striker Mauro Icardi was not included in Argentina’s World Cup squad. The talismanic centre forward was involved in the qualifying stages and many expected him to be in Russia.
According to Bleacher Report the 25-year-old was reportedly told as early as April that he would not be on the plane to Russia. Barcelona legend Messi, who will once again be the Argentines’ talisman this summer, is central to Icardi’s axe. The report futher claimed that Messi and Icardi do not see eye to eye, which eventually led to Icardi being left out.
Despite his absence, Argentina still have a plethora of attacking talent to fall back on.
Messi is joined by Juventus’ Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero as attacking options for Jorge Sampaoli.
Argentina will take on Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.