Messi leads Argentina provisional WC squad

Lionel Messi was among 55 players named in Argentina's preliminary squad on Monday for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The 38-year-old leads an attack that also features Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez and Bologna's Santiago Castro.

The list includes several uncapped players, including Boca Juniors defender Lautaro Di Lollo, Castro, Getafe center-back Zaid Romero and River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltran.

FIFA has set a June 2 deadline for final World Cup squads.

Argentina will begin its World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 before also facing Austria and Jordan in Group J.