Lionel Messi Headlines Argentina's World Cup 2018 Provisional Squad Roster

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is the headline act in Argentina's 35-man provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup this summer that was announced on Monday.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been included in a phenomenal attacking unit alongside Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, the Juventus duo of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain as well as Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, per Squawka:

Icardi, 25, has been largely overlooked for the Albiceleste despite consistently impressing for his club.

He has made only four career appearances for the national side but made it into Jorge Sampaoli's provisional squad after netting 28 goals in Serie A in 2017-18.

The Inter captain could be in danger of missing out, though, when the final 23-man squad is announced next week.

Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria also made the 35-man squad to bolster Argentina's already-impressive attacking ranks, per bet365:

If Sampaoli can get his squad playing at their very best, Argentina have a genuine chance of going all the way in Russia. They were runners-up in Brazil 2014.

However, many of their stars have historically failed to produce their best form on the international stage, and they needed a Messi hat-trick against Ecuador to secure qualification late on in October.

The 30-year-old will unquestionably be the fulcrum of Argentina's side in Russia 2018, but he will need assistance from the rest of the squad if they are to win their third World Cup.