Sampoli Names Preliminary Argentine World Cup Squad

Mauro Icardi has been included in Argentina's 35-man provisional squad for the 2018 World Cup.

The Inter star has been in great form in Serie A this term but has largely been frozen out of the national team, making just four appearances since his 2013 debut.

However, Jorge Sampaoli was unable to neglect the 25-year-old when it came to putting together his initial squad for the tournament in Russia.

Argentina preliminary World Cup squad:

*Goalkeepers:* Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Willy Caballero, Franco Armani.

*Defenders: *Gabriel Mercado, Nicolás Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Rojo, Marcos Acuña, Ramiro Funes Mori, Cristian Ansaldi, Eduardo Salvio, Germán Pezzella.

*Midfielders: *Javier Mascherano, Ángel Di María, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Manuel Lanzini, Gio Lo Celso, Ricardo Centurión, Guido Pizarro, Leandro Paredes, Maximiliano Meza, Enzo Pérez, Pablo Pérez, Rodrigo Battaglia.

*Forwards: *Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi Cristian Pavón, Lautaro Martínez y Diego Perotti.