Lionel Messi has been included in a strong Argentina roster for exhibition games against Ecuador and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the United States.
Already qualified for next year's World Cup, Argentina announced a 22-man group Friday that includes its top four forwards: Messi, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.
Argentina plays Ecuador on Nov. 15 at East Rutherford, N.J., and Bosnia four days later at St. Louis. Both opponents also are in the 32-nation field at Brazil next June.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Catania, Italy), Sergio Romero (Monaco)
Defenders: Jose Maria Basanta (Monterrey, Mexico), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan, Italy), Federico Fernandez (Napoli, Italy), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica, Portugal), Lucas Orban (Bordeaux, France), Nicolas Otamendi (Porto, Portugfl), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan, Italy), Ever Banega (Valencia, Spain), Lucas Biglia (Lazio, Italy), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid, Spain), Erik Lamela (Tottenham, England), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona, Spain)
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City, England), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli, Italy), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan, Italy)
