Promising striker Lautaro Martinez given chance for Argentina debut

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Uncapped Racing Club striker Lautaro Martinez has been named in Argentina's squad for friendlies against Italy and Spain later this month, coach Jorge Sampaoli said on Monday.

Promising striker Lautaro Martinez given chance for Argentina debut

(Reuters)





Martinez, 20, has scored 12 goals in 14 appearances for Racing this year and was added to the squad as one of five home-based players.

Boca Juniors winger Cristian Pavon was also included, as was his 32-year old team mate, uncapped midfielder Pablo Perez as Sampaoli prepares to decide who he will pick for this year's World Cup in Russia.

Two other uncapped players, 21-year old right back Fabricio Bustos and midfielder Maximiliano Meza, both of Independiente, were also named in the squad to play Italy at the Etihad stadium in Manchester on March 23 and then face Spain in Madrid four days later.

Sampaoli had previously announced 22 overseas-based players, although Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero pulled out on Sunday due to a knee injury.

Beaten finalists in Brazil four years ago, Argentina kick off their World Cup campaign against Iceland on June 16 and then face Croatia and Nigeria.





(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Christian Radnedge)


Share
1 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world