The start of the season has brought the first call-up list from Lionel Scaloni for the Argentina National Team, and once again, the club providing the most names is Atlético de Madrid. Despite recently losing Rodrigo De Paul and Ángel Correa, now at Inter Miami and Tigres respectively, the Spanish side continues to have a decisive influence on the Albiceleste.

For the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Ecuador, Scaloni has called up four Atlético players: Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone, Julián Álvarez, and Thiago Almada. The only Argentine from the squad left out is goalkeeper Juan Musso, with the position filled by Emiliano Martínez, Walter Benítez, and Gerónimo Rulli.

Atlético’s Argentine Core Remains Key

The presence of four Atlético de Madrid players highlights the club’s strong connection with the reigning world champions. Even without key figures from the past cycle such as De Paul and Correa, the squad managed by Diego Simeone continues to supply important talent to the national team.

By comparison, Olympique de Marseille is the second club with the most call-ups, contributing three players: Benítez, Leonardo Balerdi, and Facundo Medina. Other clubs like Inter Miami (with Messi and De Paul) and River Plate (with Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña) follow with two players each.

Messi, Young Talents, and New Additions

Scaloni’s list not only includes captain Lionel Messi, but also several rising stars such as Claudio Echeverri of Manchester City, Alan Varela of Porto, and Franco Mastantuono, a new signing for Real Madrid. In addition, striker José Manuel López of Palmeiras has earned his first-ever call-up.

The Argentina National Team will face Venezuela on September 4 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires and then visit Ecuador in Guayaquil five days later. With 35 points and a ten-point lead over its closest rivals, Argentina has already secured its spot at the 2026 World Cup but continues to strengthen a squad where Atlético de Madrid plays a special role.