After weeks of training at the national team complex in Ezeiza, Argentina under-20 manager Claudio Úbeda has named his 23-man squad for the Campeonato Sudamericano (South American Youth Football Championship) in Ecuador.

Argentina will begin their campaign against Peru in Ibarra on January 19th and will be aiming for at least qualfication to the under-20 World Cup in South Korea, which is achieved by finishing in the top four of the final group stage.

Santiago Ascacibar looks set to be the midfield lynchpin to Úbeda’s side after impressing so much for Estudiantes over the past year but the inclusions of Independiente’s Ezequiel Barco, Estudiantes’ Lucas Rodíguez, Racing’s Lautaro Martínez and San Lorenzo’s Tomás Conechny provide an exciting attacking impetus.

Argentina have been drawn in Group B alongside Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and Bolívia with the top three qualifying for the final group stage to be held in Quito.

January 19th – Argentina v Peru
January 21st – Argentina v Uruguay
January 23rd – Argentina v Bolivia
January 27th – Argentina v Venezuela

Goalkeepers
Franco Petroli – River Plate
Facundo Cambeses – Banfield
Ramiro Macagno – Atlético de Rafaela

Defenders
Cristian Romero – Belgrano
Milton Valenzuela – Newell’s Old Boys
Nahuel Molina – Boca Juniors
Lisandro Martínez – Newell’s Old Boys
Juan Foyht – Estudiantes
Nicolás Zalazar – San Lorenzo
Kevin Mac Allister – Argentinos Juniors

Midfielders
Pedro Ojeda – Rosario Central
Brian Mansilla – Racing Club
Franco Moyano – San Lorenzo
Santiago Ascacibar – Estudiantes
Julián Chicco – Boca Juniors
Ezequiel Barco – Independiente
Joaquín Pereyra – Rosario Central
Lucas Rodríguez – Estudiantes
Matías Zaracho – Racing Club

Forwards
Lautaro Martínez – Racing Club
Tomás Conechny – San Lorenzo
Marcelo Torres – Boca Juniors
Ramón Mierez – Tigre