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Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez called up to Argentina friendlies

Reuters

They may only be friendlies, but Argentina is calling on its heavy hitters.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Boca Juniors' Carlos Tevez and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero were all added to Argentina's 24-man squad Monday, ahead of matches in September.

The Argentina team is almost identical to the one that finished as runners-up in Chile during the 2015 Copa America, with the addition of River Plate defender Ramiro Funes Mori being the only change.

The call-up comes on the 10-year anniversary of Messi's debut with the Albiceleste - and it wasn't a particularly happy one.

An 18-year-old Messi came on as a substitute during the second half of a friendly against Hungary. With Argentina up 2-1, and Messi on the field for just two minutes, he was handed a red card for an apparent elbow on defender Vilmos Vanczak.

"It wasn't the way I dreamed it would be," Messi told reporters when he landed in Barcelona. He was reportedly found crying in a corner of the dressing room after the match.

"Messi will be hoping he is not now overlooked for several years," read a report from Reuters back on Aug. 18, 2005.

It's safe to say that didn't happen - even if he hasn't won a major championship with Argentina just yet.

He will reunite with Argentina during the international break for games Sept. 3 against Bolivia and Sept. 8 against Mexico.

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