Argentina and Chelsea FC midfielder Enzo Fernández has said the team is taking the upcoming friendly matches against Mauritania and Zambia with the utmost responsibility.
The Chelsea midfielder has joined the camp, along with several others, including Lionel Messi, ahead of the friendlies, scheduled for March 27 and March 31, respectively, in Buenos Aires.
Fernández stated that he was delighted to play in front of the home crowd after a long time.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here; now I’m enjoying time with my family and the national team these days,” he told ESPN.
Asked about the level of the opponents, Zambia and Mauritania, Enzo said, “When we played prior to the last World Cup, we didn’t have very demanding matches. We tried to play with the utmost responsibility, regardless of the opponents.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has assembled a strong squad for the friendlies, which serve as preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The defending champions are in Group J along with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
Full squad for the friendly matches
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli. Juan Musso
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Marcos Senesi, Nicolás Otamendi, Tomás Palacios, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Rojas, Marcos Acuña
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Máximo Perrone, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Valentín Barco, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Nico Paz, Gianluca Prestianni, Nicolás González. Giuliano Simeone, Thiago Almada, José Manuel López, Julián Álvarez, Franco Mastantuono, Joaquín Panichelli
