Otamendi returns but Argentina leave out Messi again

Manchester City center-back Nicolas Otamendi was recalled to the Argentina squad on Friday but as expected, Lionel Messi was left out of the group due to play arch-rivals Brazil in Saudi Arabia.

After Argentina's disappointing last-16 elimination by eventual winners France from the World Cup in Russia, Messi was granted time off from national team duties for the rest of the year.

He missed friendlies in the United States against Guatemala (3-0) and Colombia (0-0) earlier this month and will watch from afar as interim-coach Lionel Scaloni's team tackle Iraq on October 11, also in Saudi Arabia, and Brazil five days later in another pair of friendlies.

"I've spoken with Messi and we agree that it's not the right time for his return," said Scaloni.

Alongside Messi, three other attacking stalwarts have been left out: Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan's Gonzalo Higuain.

Inter Milan duo Mauro Icardi and Lautaro Martinez are in, alongside Giovani Lo Celso of PSG and Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.

Squad