Argentina has strongest possible squad – Scaloni

Lionel Scaloni admits it was difficult to leave players out of Argentina’s 2019 Copa America squad but is confident he has chosen the country’s 23 best players.

Paulo Dybala has made the cut despite a disappointing season with Juventus, while Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has been called up for the first time since last year’s dreadful World Cup campaign.

However, there is no room for Inter striker Mauro Icardi after a controversial season with the Serie A club, which saw him left out of the team and stripped of the captaincy.

While conceding he had doubts during the selection process, Scaloni is now content he has a squad capable of winning the tournament for the first time since 1993.

“We believe that these are the best players we have at this moment,” he told a media conference. “Some were left out due to injury, but they were always in consideration.

#SelecciónMayor ¡Estos son los 23 convocados! Aquí, la lista de @lioscaloni para disputar la @CopaAmerica de Brasil.#VamosArgentina pic.twitter.com/ldiNiUV2zB

— Selección Argentina  (@Argentina) May 21, 2019

“When you have so many players of a good level to choose from, there are always doubts. It is difficult to explain everything, but the final decision is always about what is best for the team.

“We suffer when we have to leave a player out. It’s our job, but it’s not easy for us.

“We want people to identify with all these guys. We are convinced that they are the best for the moment. We are clear about what we want and we know what our idea is.”

Argentina will play Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar in the group stage and Scaloni is expecting tough tests against all three.

“Colombia is one of the most powerful teams in South America; they have great players,” he added.

“Paraguay is a very competitive team and Qatar won the Asian Cup by playing very well. It is going to be a complicated group.”