体坛英语新闻：Otamendi recalled to Argentina squad for friendlies with Iraq, Brazil

BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi has been recalled to Argentina's squad for friendlies against Iraq and Brazil in Saudi Arabia next month, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Friday.

Otamendi was a part of the Argentina team which was eliminated in the World Cup round of 16 by eventual champions France in June. He was subsequently overlooked by interim coach Lionel Scaloni for September friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia.

The Albiceleste's latest squad also includes Racing right-back Renzo Saravia, Watford attacking midfielder Roberto Pereyra and uncapped Udinese winger Rodrigo De Paul.

But there was no place for Otamendi's club teammate Sergio Aguero, who joins Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria and Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain as former national team regulars that have fallen out of favor since the World Cup.

As expected, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was left out, having requested an indefinite break from international football.

Argentina will meet Iraq in Riyadh on Oct. 12 and Brazil in Jeddah four days later.

Argentina squad:

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad/ESP), Sergio Romero (Manchester United/ENG)

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG), Renzo Saravia (Racing), Juan Foyth (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Fabricio Bustos (Independiente), German Pezzella (Fiorentina/ITA), Alan Franco (Independiente), Ramiro Funes Mori (Villarreal/ESP), Walter Kannemann (Gremio/BRA), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/NED)

Midfielders: Eduardo Salvio (Benfica/POR), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese/ITA), Roberto Pereyra (Watford/ENG), Santiago Ascacibar (Stuttgart/GER), Leandro Paredes (Zenit/RUS), Rodrigo Battaglia (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Maximiliano Meza (Independiente), Giovani Lo Celso (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Franco Cervi (Benfica/POR), Franco Vazquez (Sevilla/ESP), Exequiel Palacios (River Plate)

Forwards: Gonzalo Martinez (River Plate), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan/ITA), Giovanni Simeone (Fiorentina/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP).