Argentina to play Italy in front of Pope Francis

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be part of an Argentina squad to face Italy in a friendly in Rome next month to be watched by Pope Francis, coach Alejandro Sabella has announced.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be part of an Argentina squad to face Italy in a friendly in Rome next month to be watched by Pope Francis, coach Alejandro Sabella has announced.

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The four-time World Player of the Year is among the 22-strong squad picked by Sabella on Tuesday night to play in the match on August 14.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires and a lifelong supporter of Argentinian top flight club San Lorenzo.

Argentina squad to face Italy in Rome on August 14:

Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria/ITA), Oscar Ustari (Almer?a/ESP), Mariano Andujar (Catania/ITA)

Defenders: Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan/ITA), Federico Fernandez (Napoli/ITA), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica/POR), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City/ENG), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United/ENG), Cristian Ansaldi (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Jos Basanta (Monterrey/MEX)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona/ESP), Ever Banega (Valencia/ESP), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo/ESP), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan/ITA), Lucas Biglia (Lazio/ITA), Erik Lamela (Roma/ITA).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Angel Di Mara (Real Madrid/ESP), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan/ITA), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli/ITA), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)