Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at the World Cup, national coach Lionel Scaloni announced Thursday as he unveiled his 26-man squad.
Messi, 38, had not previously confirmed he would play in what will be a record-breaking sixth tournament for the Argentine superstar.
However, it had been widely assumed the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner would again lead Argentina, four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar.
Argentina's roster retains 17 of the 26 players who won the title in Qatar.
Young players who received call-ups include 21-year-olds Nicolas Paz and Valentin Barco.
Palmeiras forward Jose Manuel Lopez, who only made his international debut last year, also features.
Notable absentees include Emiliano Buendia -- currently in excellent form at Aston Villa -- and Roma star Paulo Dybala.
