Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho says it is a dream come true to receive a shock call-up to the senior Argentina side. The 17-year-old is yet to make his senior debut at club level but could represent the South American giants later this week after being named in Lionel Scaloni's side for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Spanish-born Garnacho is just one of the seven teenagers to have been called up by Scaloni, along with Luka Romero, Matias Soule, Franco Carboni, Valentin Carboni, Nicolas Paz and Tiago Geralnik.
The players were recommended for selection after scouting work by Juan Tassi and the plan is for them to train with the senior Argentina side over the next week while also doing work with Javier Mascherano's U20 side.
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Garnacho has emerged as one of the hottest talents at academy level this season, with 15 goals and six assists across all age groups, including five goals in five games as United reached the FA Youth Cup for the first time since they last won it in 2011.
“I have dual nationality, so this is a unique opportunity for me," Garancho told club media. "I’m looking forward to the moment and make the most of it. I was born in Madrid, but my mother is Argentine, as is her entire family, and it will be an honour to be able to represent Argentina.
“Justin [Cochrane] and Darren Fletcher are two members of the club who are always very attentive to me, supporting me in all kinds of decisions. And outside the club is Javier Mascherano, who is Argentina’s Under-20 coach. Since they were interested in me two or three months ago, they have always been very attentive, worrying about me. He is very attentive, and I am very grateful.”
Garnacho will be training with Lionel Messi by the end of the week, and he admits it will be a dream come true to learn from one of the greatest players to ever play the game.
He added: “I have always dreamed of sharing a team with stars of this level, and of learning a lot from them.
“It is a dream to be able to share a team with some of the idols of my childhood, so I am going to take advantage of it to improve [as a footballer]. Likewise, I am always very motivated, because I am doing what I like, which is playing football.”
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