Messi, Aguero in Argentine squad for friendlies in China

Lionel Messi will captain the Argentina national football team, which also includes prolific striker Sergio Aguero, for friendlies in China against Brazil and Hong Kong.

Head coach Gerardo Martino called on goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin and midfielders Leonel Vangioni and Fernando Gago, all of whom play for Argentine clubs, to round-off the 22-man lineup, reports Xinhua.

Argentina will play Brazil at Beijing's National Stadium Oct 11 and Hong Kong Oct 14.

The team is scheduled to travel to Asia Sunday.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria, Italy), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres, Mexico) and Agustin Marchesin (Lanas, Argentina).

Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, England), Federico Fernandez (Swansea City, Wales), Santiago Vergini (Sunderland, England), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City, England), Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia, Spain) and Marcos Rojo (Manchester United, England).

Midfielders: Enzo Perez (Benfica, Portugal), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona, Spain), Lucas Biglia (Lazio, Italy), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain, France), Roberto Pereyra (Juventus, Italy), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United, England), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica, Portugal) and Leonel Vangioni (River Plate, Argentina).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli, Italy) and Sergio Aguero (Manchester City, England).