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FOOTBALL

Argentina stand by teenager Messi

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Messi, head bowed after his red card, is comforted by coach Peckerman

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) -- Teenage striker Lionel Messi is named in Argentina's squad for next month's World Cup qualifier in Paraguay, despite his disastrous debut in midweek.

Messi went on in the 63rd minute of Wednesday's 2-1 friendly international win in Hungary, but was almost immediately dismissed for elbowing defender Vilmos Vanczak.

Media reports said the 18-year-old Barcelona striker was later found sobbing in the dressing room.

Argentina, who lead the 10-nation South American World Cup qualifying group with 31 points from 15 games, visit Asuncion on September 3, having already guaranteed their place at next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

Paraguay are fourth in the group -- one of the qualification spots -- with 22 points and will defend an unbeaten home record stretching back nearly four years.

Argentine coach Jose Pekerman named only his foreign-based players on Friday and will pick the home-based players, including both goalkeepers, next week.

There was no place for strikers Javier Saviola, Luciano Figueroa or Carlos Tevez or midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron who has yet to play under Pekerman.

Argentina squad:

Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Valencia, Spain), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo Coruna, Spain), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, England), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal, Spain), Facundo Quiroga (Wolfsburg, Germany)

Midfielders: Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal, Spain), Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol, Spain), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan, Italy), Mario Santana (Palermo, Italy), Andres D'Alessandro (Wolfsburg, Germany), Lucas Bernardi (Monaco, France), Luis Gonzalez (Porto, Portugal), Javier Mascherano (Corinthians, Brazil)

Forwards: Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Luciano Galletti (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain), Hernan Crespo (Chelsea, England), Lisandro Lopez (Porto, Portugal)

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