Argentina will feature four players aged under 20 in two friendlies in the US in March with the Copa America and Paris Olympics in mind.

One of the biggest surprises of coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad on Friday was 19-year-old left back and midfielder Valentín Barco. He joined Brighton less than two months ago and has had an impact at the English Premier League club.

The other three teenagers in the world champion squad were forwards: Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte and Monza’s Valentín Carboni.

Argentina faces El Salvador on March 22 in Philadelphia and Costa Rica four days later in Los Angeles.

The friendlies will give American football fans another chance to see Messi in action.

Paqueta recalled

In Rio de Janeiro, West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was recalled by Brazil for the first time since an investigation began in August into suspicious betting.

New Brazil coach Dorival Júnior named eight new players in the 26-man squad for friendlies against England and Spain this month.