squad as captain and star striker Lionel Messi
returned.
Messi missed last month's 4-2 friendly win over
world champions Germany with a groin injury but
as expected, came straight back into Gerardo
Martino's squad to face Brazil and Hong Kong.
Martino's first match in charge was the emphatic
Germany win and the performance of star winger
Angel di Maria on that occasion is sure to have
filled him with confidence.
Di Maria provided three assists and scored in the
absence of Messi as Argentina bounced back
from their World Cup final defeat in style.
Tevez was said to be close to a return, having
not played for Argentina since their quarter-final
exit at the 2011 Copa America.
The 30-year-old played a key role in Juventus'
third successive Serie A crown last term, netting
19 goals in 34 appearances.
And the former Manchester United and
Manchester City man is in outstanding form,
having scored four goals in his last three
appearances.
But Tevez's international exile continued as
Martino opted for just three forwards in his 19-
man squad.
Messi will be joined by Sergio Aguero and
Gonzalo Higuain in attack.
The squad was heavily Premier League-based,
with eight of the 19 plying their trade in England's
top flight.
Argentina face Brazil and Hong Kong in friendlies
next month as preparations for the 2015 Copa
America continue.
Argentina: Nahuel Guzman (Tigres UANL), Sergio
Romero (Sampdoria); Martin Demichelis
(Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Swansea
City), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Marcos Rojo
(Manchester United), Santiago Vergini
(Sunderland), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City);
Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Angel di Maria (Manchester
United), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Erik Lamela
(Tottenham), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona),
Javier Pastore (PSG), Roberto Pereyra
(Juventus), Enzo Perez (Benfica); Sergio Aguero
(Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli),
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
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