Paulo Dybala named in Argentinas World Cup squad ahead of injury return
Paulo Dybala has been included in Argentina’s 26-man World Cup squad despite being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Roma forward, 28, has not played for his club since sustaining the injury against Lecce on October 29.
However, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to take a chance on the former Juventus striker.
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Dybala could make his injury comeback this weekend when Roma host Torino on Sunday.
Mourinho, speaking before Dybala’s inclusion, said: “I don’t know his contacts with Argentina and Scaloni. I don’t know if he has to play on Sunday to go to the World Cup, or not to play to go to the World Cup.
“One thing is obvious. The players who will go to the World Cup are going to have their heads more on the other side than on this side in this last game,” Mourinho added.
“Of course we need Paulo. If I have a choice, I would like to have Dybala against Torino.”
Lionel Messi will play in his fifth World Cup having appeared for his country in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.
Teenager Alejandro Garnacho has missed out despite impressing for Manchester United in recent weeks. The 18-year-old’s club team-mate Lisandro Martinez has made the cut having made an impressive start to life in England.
Martinez in joined in the squad by fellow Premier League players Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Angel Correra, capped 22 times by his country, misses out despite being a regular for Atletico Madrid in La Liga and the Champions League.
Argentina are in group C with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.
Their first game is against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate) and Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton & Hove Albion)
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Forwards: Paulo Dybala (Roma), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
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World Cup 2022 Group C guide: Argentina's fast starts, ageing Mexico and possession-shy Poland
(Photo: Getty Images)
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