Buenos Aires, March 4 (HS): Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina's 33-member preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil this month.

Manchester City's young midfielder Claudio Echeverri and Bologna striker Santiago Castro have also got a place for the first time in the list released on the official website of the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

However, River Plate defender Marcos Acuna has not been included in the team due to poor performance.

The Argentine team will face Uruguay in Montevideo on March 21 and Brazil in Buenos Aires on March 25. Currently, Argentina tops the South American qualifying group with 25 points from 12 matches, while Uruguay is in second place with 20 points.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar