Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho handed opportunity to hit Argentina milestone

Alejandro Garnacho has been named in the Argentina squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia, alongside Lisandro Martinez.

The Manchester United winger made his senior international debut in June, featuring as a substitute firstly against Australia and then Indonesia. Garnacho will be hoping to start for his country for the first time next month.

The 19-year-old started against Wolves and Tottenham in United’s two opening fixtures but was left on the bench in the win over Nottingham Forest. He signed a fresh five-year deal in January amid a fantastic breakthrough campaign that saw him finish up with five goals and five assists.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has been impressed with the teenager’s rise but is keen not to push Garnacho too much too soon. Speaking after his appearances in June, Scaloni said of Garnacho: “We have to go step by step. We gave him the minutes to find his feet, we don’t have to rush.

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“The idea is to give minutes to all the players so that they can start to adapt without forgetting those who are already in the team. We are excited with Garnacho and with all of the rest.”

Meanwhile, Martinez will be looking to build on his 16 caps, five of which came at the triumphant Qatar World Cup. An inclusion in the line-up in either fixture would take him to double figures for international starts.

The pair will be playing alongside Lionel Messi, who has ripped up the MLS since his high-profile summer switch. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Cristian Romero of Tottenham all make the cut too. World Cup final-winning penalty taker Gonzalo Montiel, now of Nottingham Forest,