Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho will be sidelined for the World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia due to knee discomfort, as announced by the team on Monday.
The 20-year-old Manchester United winger was part of Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa in the Premier League but will not join the Argentina national team.
Currently leading the standings with 18 points from eight matches, Argentina is set to play against sixth-placed Venezuela on Thursday and will host eighth-placed Bolivia the following Tuesday.
Initially included in the squad, Garnacho has been replaced by Leicester City’s Facundo Buonanotte, as confirmed by coach Lionel Scaloni.
Garnacho has earned seven caps and was part of the team that won a record 16th title in the Copa America held in the U.S. in July.
The Argentina squad includes goalkeepers Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, and Walter Benitez; defenders Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Julio Soler; midfielders Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, and Facundo Buonanotte; and forwards Nicolas Paz, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julian Alvarez, and Valentín Carboni.